Salon Rising: The Podcast

Transcript 

And I was like, Oh my God, what if I do it? What if it's crap? Like, how does Stella get her groove back? I know, but I tried that so many times. You know, like don't think about it. You know, they'll come when you least expect it, but it actually worked.  If it's coming down to life and death and perming, Bridget is very much alive.

Samara is very much in the ground. It's being that part of that 1%, you know, because everyone else, it is really hard. And they will stop. Yeah. So if you can be part of that 1 percent that will just keep going. Yeah. That's the tenacity. To be successful is like your level of grit. Like it's not how good you are, it's like your tenacity to keep going and all that kind of thing.

And I think I just have kept going. And the physical space to spend the time working on your business that I don't have business to work in either. Do you love it or do you hate it? Do you need me to charge you or not charge you? Like, do you, tell me what is happening here. I think, well, if they leave, it's not the right place.

Like you can't be everyone to everybody, but it's actually really hard to put that into practice and be like, good with that. Cause it does feel personal when they leave. It's one of those things you have to repeat to yourself all the time. I'm not going to be for everyone. And that is okay. Bridget and I have probably sold our salon between us 95 times.

Bridget sells, I want to sell, Bridget wants to sell. I want to, you know, just as we go through those.  ebbs and flows of having a business. They want a face mask or, you know, a barista made coffee, but they want to pay the, the lease or like, you know,  they're outraged by the price and you sort of think, well, how does that really work out?

You're like, do you hate me? Are you going to leave? Is this, is this her leaving? She's out. She's moving.  Hey lovers, just a quick one. If you listen to us and you love us,  Could you please hit that subscribe button? I know it's a pain, but that little button means the world to us and our podcast and means that we can get more great guests on like we know you guys love listening to.

So  do a girl a favor, hit subscribe, and we would be so grateful. 

Welcome back to the Inner Sanctum Salon Rising, the podcast. Good morning, Sam. Hey, how are you? I feel like this has been a while. It does feel like a while. I don't remember when we podcasted last. It has been a while and we've been really busy. in the interim. Yes. But this is our last official recording session for the year, even though we've recorded a final podcast for the year.

Yes. Um, and we have a special guest with us today. Would you like to introduce our special guest? Um, sure. Probably the podcast biggest fan. This is one of my closest friends, Bridget from the Tortoise and the Hare. Welcome Bridget. guys. Um, Bridget's always messaging me like  fortnightly is not enough, make it happen weekly.

It's not enough. Or I'll get like little like messages saying like, Oh my God, love this, or I need more of this. Or I'll have phone calls being like, I need the background story of what actually happened to you because you didn't tell me enough.  So I thought it was only fitting that she come on,  um, and we just had a really cool journey as well.

Super cool journey. There's really cool aspects to it. Bridget's ownership journey that I can't wait for us to delve into. Um, so I'm really glad we've got her here. Thanks, man. Thank you for having me. I feel a bit nervous.  Bridget's also a part of, there is a very close group of us on the Gold Coast that, uh, you know, I was like to say catch up all the time, but we've caught up like once this year.

So, but that we're really close. Actual life. That is how often people who are close get to catch up these days.  100%.  You know, we're constantly sending each other messages like, Oh my goodness. Is your salon burning down? Who's for sale this week? Um, you know, what, I'm struggling with this, or I need support on this, or I'm celebrating this, so that chat box, sometimes you walk away from your phone and you come back and there's like 95 messages and you're like, oh, I'm so behind, go.

So,  That group, you know, we always talk about how important community is, and that group is such a big part of mine, and just being able to kind of, when things are going wrong, when things are going right, or you need to bounce off somebody, like, I'm so grateful for our,  Family. They'll all eventually be on, but trying to get any one of them, like, this was booked in for months.

I know it's cause you've got too many best friends. You don't have to like, you know, wait for our time. No, but I'm obviously hung up on that. I'm working through it. Bridget literally says it, must say it, like on concert. I've just never met someone that's got so many best, best, as close, as deep as friends.

Have you? She was like, no, she is the same. special, a special one where it's like suspect running and she was like, has 85, 000 best friends. I was like, dude, every time Bridget's like, you have too many best friends. I'm like, well, yes I do,  but I'm good with it. I'm good with it too. Bridget's like, but which one is your bestiest best friend?

Like I'm like, the other day we had an opening for our girlfriend who opened a new salon. I was like, I really, have to be out of there by four. It's my best friend's birthday. And Bridget's like, of course it is. And I was like, no, this one is a godparent of my children. That has been my best friend for like 20 years.

They were like, okay, that one's acceptable. Now we're going off timeline.  Just to decide on the day Bridget.  All right, so tell us a little bit of your journey starting at the beginning because  you know, it, we, you cruised along to a point and then all of a sudden you're like, I'm going all in and built the new salon and everything.

So start from the beginning. Um, so I basically saw a salon that was for sale or it wasn't even for sale. It was just empty. It had been a salon for like years and years, like a really old mum. Dad kind of salon. And he used to go to the coffee shop next door like every day. And then it suddenly was shut. I was like, Oh, that's a bit weird.

I was working in admin job at the time. And then I, so you weren't in here then? No, I'd had like a little break for like a year. I was just doing hair at home at that point. Where did you, I actually don't know this part of your story. Where did you train? Um, in Brisbane. Yeah. Okay. So I'd done my apprenticeship at a salon for seven years and then I moved here and then I worked, um, in a salon for a year and it wasn't like.

I wasn't sold on it. So I was like, maybe I'm not into hair. Maybe I should try something else. So I did that. And then, yeah, I went past the salon and I'd been doing a few people at home. And then it sort of got me thinking like, Oh, that could be like a cool little salon. It's in Palm beach, which is like getting a bit trendier, um, up and coming now.

And then it was actually my Nana who Knew someone who went there because everyone there was over the age of like 75  , and she found out  awkwardly that she had died. This lady had randomly,  oh really? Out of the blue. She was about to retire,  dropped dead, and um. Oh my gosh. Without sounding like I swooped in.

She swooped in. I swooped in.  Perfect opportunity. But it was because. She died and then I went. Yeah. The, my landlord was pretty full on so the, the husband still had to pay the rent and everything. Even though she had died. So, that's a weird clause if you, you know, ever getting into a business. Make sure you don't die.

Cause you still have to keep paying. So he was so happy. to sell it. So he sold it for really minimal just to even get out of the lease and, you know, be done with it. But they kind of had to sell it too for them. They were still beholden to the lease, even though she was dead. Yeah. Far out.  You can't get out of it.

That is actually terrifying to anyone that's listening. If you're in a lease, I don't know if it was just my landlord or if that's just the general go, but  Yeah.  So. Far out. Okay. So then, yeah, basically a week or think it was two weeks later, got the keys and I started. Wow. And you started just you? Yes. It was just me for like four years.

So it was like the world's oldest salon. The clients bought their colors in with them from the supermarket and I used to put their tints on. And do a lot of perms. Bridget's like, I remember the beginning of Bridget's like, if they ever need a class for perming, I'm going to be teaching it. I'm going to be the  master.

And I was like, absolutely. Cause I've done one perm in my entire career. And I'm pretty sure it was just so my. Apprentice, my teachers could just be like sign her off like she's terrible just sign her off. She's never gonna touch one again Yeah, I used to do like four a day leading up to Christmas Quite good at them.

She's very good. She can't wind to brag but  If it's coming down to life and death and perming Bridget is very much alive Samara is very much in the ground  Exactly. Yeah, so I um eventually just started like getting a new clients and that trying to update it a bit, but I still actually kept most of those people just as like my bread and butter.

And that was so easy, like  just really easy going come every four weeks, six weeks kind of people. And then, yeah. Because it really has changed in our industry so much. Like we were talking the other day on our chat, Bridget was like, Oh, today I just did a basic half head of foils and it was amazing. No face framing, no bizzare, just. 

Chuck in a half head of foils, quick tone, be done. And she was like, why, why do we do so much fancy work? It's so good. Just your basic, like you forget how much of that basic bread and butter work. Yeah. And how much more work it actually is to do that  extra services. And I probably hadn't been charging.  we do now but you just kind of gradually add in a face frame and you just sort of do it for free because it's just what's expected or you just go yeah half head now includes a face frame whereas you forget that putting a face frame in takes like 20 30 minutes well when she said she didn't want one i was like how do you even do that like i don't everyone wants one i just want not face frame these days it's so true yeah as an industry can we come off face framing so that we can make i feel like that's That's the way it's heading.

Face frames are getting smaller and smaller and smaller and smaller and yeah. Thank God. Thank God. Yeah. Oh. Oh, bless you. Bless you over there in the corner. We have a little baby in the corner and she's just like living her best life. Best. Um,  okay. So then you were by yourself for like four years. Yeah. I also, if you feel comfortable, I love this part of your story. 

Do you feel comfortable sharing your personal life in this story? Yep, yep.  Because I remember distinctively, so, um, at this point Bridget was single and living vicariously through Bridget's love life was just the best.  Like, your dating life was so fun. Like, I've met someone, oh, nope, they went a little crazy.

This is what happened. Like, living through your love life. But I distinctively remember at this time, um, this was before you built the new salon and stuff. I remember.  sitting in a coffee shop with you one day and you were like, I'm at the point where I'm, I think you said, I'm going to give it 12 months and I'm going to, I'm actually going to start the process of trying for a baby.

Oh my God. Yes. Yeah. And I was like, well, that's really cool. And it's really exciting. And you're like, yep, I'm just at this point in my life, I'm ready to do it. So I'm not going to just wait now. For somebody, I'm deciding I'm going to do it on my own. Ha ha. Then fate kicked in. What happened then? And then I went on a random Tinder date. 

One of many 8, 000 that I'd been on. And I met, yeah, my now husband, Andrew. And I literally think that was like, weeks later, if that. Yeah, I think maybe like,  Yeah, very close together. Very close together. It's like you just put it out there and it's like, Hey, we got you. I know, but I tried that so many times, you know, like, don't think about it.

You know, they'll come when you least expect it, but it actually worked.  She was like, I'm having a baby on my own. The universe is like, be bold.  Um.  So around the same time, so at this point, as you'd met Andrew, did you have staff yet? Yeah, I'd had a few staff. I'd had maybe like me and one other, me and two others.

Yeah. And then I think I had about maybe four or I think maybe four, so five of us in total in like a 30 square meter shop. Yeah. It was like little, very small and squashy. Yeah. Um, and so Um, I hadn't really been thinking about it, but then it kind of just all came together as well, that this salon was available or it's just like an empty shell, like 50 meters or a hundred meters up the road.

Um, and then because I had Andrew, it kind of,  it was nice to have somebody else to support me to make like such a big decision. I wouldn't have been able to. I could have done it on my own, but I don't think I would have. Hang on, didn't you have another sound one as well? Yeah. Hold on, we've got to go to this one first.

Okay. So, there's another one coming. And the space that you're in now is beautiful. It was a new development. Yep. Gorgeous new building. Um, I remember Bridgette ringing me and being like, alright, so how much does it cost? I'm like, oh my God, babe, so much money. She's like, okay, good. Double it. Yeah, whatever you're thinking, double it.

And she was like, alright, good, I'm ready. Yeah. Um, and. When was that? It was just after I built this. Three years ago. Also maybe four years ago, because it took like at least six months to get the approvals and everything. Yeah, maybe more. Pretty sure it was just after I built this, or as I was building this, and then you started your build as well.

Um, and it was, it had such a beautiful, for anyone that hasn't, please jump on, um, Instagram and follow Bridget on the tortoise and the hare, because the design is so beautiful. Oh, it's so beautiful. cool aesthetic to it. Um, and Yeah. So it took about six months to build. Yeah. I think it took even like six or nine months for like council approval.

Cause it was zoned for like restaurants and stuff. Um, and then it took, I think it only took two months to actually build. Cause we just had like a team come in and do it all. Yeah. Bridget was smart and had like a builder.  She did indeed. Um, she had a builder come in and just do everything. You had the design planned and everything and they just went, it took, yeah, two months. 

But it cost more. You pay for that, but obviously I couldn't do it. So, yeah.  Um, and then, so when you moved over, how many staff did you move over with? Well, I had five and then I ended up with two. So pretty much when I opened, everyone randomly, one decided to move back home to another state. One just left.

One, I can't even remember, but they just,  just crumbled. Yeah. And I was like, oh. Shit. Um. When you opened the salon had you, so you've got, so everyone knows you've got two little girls now. Yep. Had you had Audrey yet? No. No. Okay. I think I felt pregnant pretty much as it opened. Yep. Um, so then I hired one more girl and so there was three of us when we  opened.

Yeah, you don't have the healthiest pregnancies either. No, I had two HD pregnancies which was  the worst. You wouldn't wish that on Mike.  anyone. I'm still like traumatized from it.  Every day Bridget was like, when is this going to be over? Yeah, it was terrible. Like, and I was like not able to work for the whole time.

So that  did really like affect my business as well. So it was just like a really hard time. And then you actually were saying before, like, then you actually have the baby and you're like, oh, now it's still really hard. Now this is another hard time. Yes. But better than being pregnant. So when you were pregnant the first time you just had two staff. 

Yes, and then I think I'd, um, hired an apprentice, but everyone was sort of new and then I sort of got one by one. So I think maybe then I'd worked up to  having maybe six or eight staff, maybe halfway through her pregna or the first one's pregnancy, so, yeah. Bridget's really good. That's I know, Bridget's really good at,  like, As, overall, she's always so good at like, Yep, it's down, up, I'll hire the good, like a few good new people, everything blends back in, Okay, it's running good.

Up, down again, up, hire a few more people, like she's very good at that business side of it. Your husband's like that as well, like he's very Yeah, he's really good with the numbers and stuff. And it probably seems like it happens like that, but it doesn't really like No, it doesn't, there's always like, yeah, we want to crash and burn most of the time.

Every time it happened I wanted to sell the salon, I was like, I can't.  rebuild again. Like it's just so hard to put effort into people and you never expect them to stay but it's just draining. Yeah. And then when you're pregnant you're like is this what I want anymore? Um. Someone's sucking everything out of me from inside and then people are sucking everything out of me from outside.

Yeah exactly. So yeah. Even though you don't think you're good at it you're very good at it. Thank you. You're good. And we, and we always have the meltdowns. Like we always have the, like, this isn't like Bridget and I probably sold our salon between us 95 times, Bridget sells, I want to sell, Bridget wants to sell, I want to, you know, just as we go through those ebbs and flows of having a business, um, you're like, you know, Bridget and I always like go through this period where you're just like, it's so good.

It's so good. Be like. But it's almost unnerving when it's good, because you just know that something bad  Is probably gonna happen , you know, that's just how it got, like, that's just life. You know? I just bri it. It's almost like you want to like have the crystal ball so you know when it is, so you can just enjoy the time before it happens.

Yeah. Let me know how much time I've got. I didn't know I was on the top of the way. Exactly, exactly. Yeah. Let me know. Like, is it a month? Is it like six months? Like I don't wanna fear it the whole time and then it happened and be like, damn it, it was long. Like yeah, I could've enjoyed this. Yeah. And I feel like even Covid. 

We didn't realize that it was actually a really good time. Cause we had so many clients, like people were like begging to come. And I feel like in the last six to 12 months, like we had a really tough couple of months in June, July, like when it all like went really quiet. And I was like. Oh, that's right.

Like it's hard to get clients, you know, whereas before it was easy, but the staff were hard. It was kind of different ballgame. The cost of living is so much. I, I truly believe, and we've spoken about this many times on the podcast. I truly believe that this is a time where we are feeling it as an industry.

Like, you know, it's a lot quieter than what we've seen in, and it's across the board. We've said that across the board. Yeah. The cost of living is definitely. It's increased and we know it from everything. We know mortgages are extreme. We know rents are extreme. Like we can see that the cost of living is dramatically different to what it used to be. 

Um, so yeah, I think it's an, it is an interesting time for us because during COVID everybody had kind of surplus funds, the government was giving money out. We didn't realize. And everyone was like, please let me have my hair done. Whereas everyone's kind of like,  I'm going to go natural. Yeah. Everyone's like, how am I going to go natural?

And they want the most, like, they want cocktails, they want a face mask or, you know, a barista made coffee, but they want to pay the least or like, you know, they're outraged by the you sort of think, well. How does that really work out? But they're just a bit uneducated. Because salons have just gotten more, more is expected, more is expected.

Like you think back to your first salon. Yeah, I think I did instant coffee.  Yeah, I think I remember going and being like. I'm pretty sure I did. I don't think I even had it. Pod machines weren't even that popular then. We did instant coffee when we worked, where we like.  We had a pod machine. No, not before that.

No, in where we, where I trained, where you worked, where I met you, it was just instant coffee.  Yeah. That blew my mind. It was instant coffee, a teabag, and then box juice that you put into the container and then you fill up with water.  That's right. Oh my God. Yeah. But you definitely didn't get like a piece of homemade rocky road or like, not that my salad does that. 

Um, you didn't even get a biscuit or like, you know, it was just like a cup of tea. Yes.  Whereas now, yeah, it's cocktails and the snacks and the, and it's just expected, but then obviously all of the prices need to increase too. And I speak to people about this, what our costs used to be.  Yes. To what our costs are now are dramatically different.

Yeah. You know, things, everything is more expensive and we need more and we're doing more and we have more and we've got all the different stuff to make the salon run and the computer systems and even  F post phase. Yeah. It's extreme. I know. We've been tossing out whether to pass them on to the client or not.

And my husband thinks like, no, you just have to absorb it. But then I sort of think, well, why? Like the coffee shop does it like, yeah, lots of shops do it. And I don't really, I go like, Oh, it's probably a little bit annoying, but I don't carry cash. So  the convenience of it, would the client rather pay for it at the time or do I put the prices up a dollar?

You know, like. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.  Yeah, and it's that you know, either way I feel like you have to include it Yes, whether or not you're saying okay, it's this right here is your surcharge or it's just we just put the knowing that your Prices up the price of the f boss goes up because the more you put through the f boss Yeah, it's just like a never ending.

Yeah, but yeah, yeah  It's and it's just because it's getting so expensive. It's not just like it used to be like it's getting expensive  Every transaction is, you know, you're spending, you know, 80, 100 a week on just F possibilities. Yeah. Yeah. Um, and it's, you know, it all adds up over 12 months, you know, you know, when you do, when I do the budget sheets and I actually see how much we spend on bank fees, you're just like, oh my goodness.

Yeah. That is, feels extreme. Yeah, it is crazy. Yeah. So,  Um, in a short period of time, you did a lot like your life changed, you know, you met Andrew, you got married, you had a baby, you built a salon, you had another baby like you've had. Yeah. But in all of that, you also had another salon too. Yes. I bought a salon in Brisbane, which was where I did my apprenticeship.

Um, and I bought that, it settled just before, I think I,  Signed the contract just before I fell pregnant with my first, and then once it all settled, um, I was pregnant and like dying in a corner. And I was like, Oh God, what have I done? Um. What made you do that? I just thought the salon was going really good at the coast and I thought, Why not?

Why not?  Put more on my plate. I think I wasn't falling pregnant, so I was like, well, this might be a little project. It's a pretty small salon as well. It was more like my first salon. It's been in the area for like 35 years. Um, I already knew the clients. Um, yeah. And I'm from Brisbane, so I knew that like some of my friends and family would go there.

Yeah. Yeah. So I just thought, why not?  And then you fell pregnant. And then I fell pregnant and was so sick. So we ended up renovating that salon, like pretty much not gutting it, but like taking everything out, refreshing the whole thing. Um, and then,  yeah, it was just so hard. Someone was always off sick.

That was during the middle of COVID. So, you know, when you had like a sniffle, you'd call in sick.  And because I was so sick, I was like, I can't just go to work. And I think I might've even had Audrey by that point. Um, but I just found it really hard to, I just didn't want to leave it as much as I thought I'd just go back to work. 

You just don't? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So how long did you have that space for? Um, about a year. Yeah, so you kept it for about 12 months and then sold it? Yes, and then I think I woke up in the night and one night I was like to Andrew, We've got to sell it, like I just can't sleep anymore. I was losing sleep, who was going to call in sick?

And I was already losing sleep with that. You know, having a baby. With having a baby. Yeah. I was like, I don't need that as well. Um, so I was lucky to sell it to like an investor couple and yeah, everything was like ready to go for them. So I felt really guilty because I had obviously, that wasn't me by the way, that was my baby just burping.

Um, but yeah, I sort of had to do what was best for my family, but obviously I felt horrible. I'm sorry I'm only having it for that long because my boss had had for like 35 years. I kind of felt like I'd let her down. Yeah, but you went in there, you shook things up, you  refreshed it, ready to go. You know, I remember you doing all of these policies and procedures and everything to get it exactly where you would want it, if you bought it.

And it was like, You know, even through all that, it was a smart business move. You, you were able to like refurb it and sell it and make a profit off it. And so it was worth in the end, the hard work that you put into it. And the sleepless nights, who knows? Was it worth it?  Probably not. Probably not. You know,  it's, if I hadn't done it, I would have always wondered, you know,  wonder no more.

Yeah. I think a lot of people do that. I'll get a second salon. They're like, Oh, I think you have to be the right type of person. I'm a very anxious person and worry about things that don't happen or sometimes do happen and you can't really be like that with two sounds because there's always something happening.

Yeah. So if you can like handle stress then. And those things don't phase you and you just kind of flow and it's not  so connected. Yeah. Whereas if someone would call in sick, obviously you'd want them to have the day off, but you're like, Oh my God, like I would just spiral. Yeah.  Um, so now where are you at?

Um,  Where am I at? Yeah. So you've done the whole journey. So now how many, what's your team? I have six people on my team. So I've got a manager. Um, she had a salon for 17 years and she does some clients and then just manages the girls. Well, not just, that's a huge job in itself and the clients. Um, so she's like our salon coordinator as well.

And then, yeah, I've got five full time seniors as well. Yeah. Huge. You've got no apprentices at the moment. I was just going to say that no apprentices. Yeah. Okay. And how do you feel? I feel good. The girls would love an apprentice. Yeah. Um, I just know it's such a huge commitment and the salon's doing really good right now with the number of people we have.

Like, yeah. So if we keep progressing, our next person would probably be a senior. Um, I think the wages are really hard right now because most of the people that Um, yeah. Yeah, I think most of the clients that have applied when we've, you know, put a position out have been an adult apprentice and adult apprentices are like the exact same price as a senior.

And I sort of think, well,  you just get a senior and they could do one or two clients a day  and all the other stuff. Like it doesn't really make sense. So,  And then it is the full commitment of training and having the time to train and all the extra stuff that comes with it. All the, and apprentice wages aren't cheap anymore.

It's not like, Oh, we'll get an apprentice and it's cheap and it's a good way to do it. They're not cheap. So at the end of the day, especially not when you're allowing the time and the effort that it takes for those other things that you're, you're required to do. And like nowadays, like to train an apprentice as well.

You don't just like teaching them couples that like, they have to be taught so. It's not a basic carpet of foils, it's all the designer foils. Yeah, and you'll send them on to their next job and they'll like, you know, fix it up for you. You want them, like I want that person to be like amazing. So,  um, yeah, it's just not something I've gone into for a few years now, but.

Never say never, just not right now. Yeah. Um, so you found your sweet spot.  Yeah. Yeah. We've got a really good team. I think everyone's been there for at least a year, pretty much now. Um, cause we had a time there where people were coming and going a bit. Um, so that was really hard too, because then the clients go.

They don't like the, the inconsistency. Yeah. And I, I'd love to talk into you like, cause obviously you had a salon that was just you for so like, we've spoken about this. You've had, you had a salon. I was the same way, um, with the original La Sorella. And you have a salon that's you for so long. But there's only so much you can do that for without also starting to build the business.

Otherwise, it's exhausting. Like, you can't, you can't just be you all the time, you burn yourself out. And it's so hard on the other side of that to come off more because then you feel like you have the judgment from clients that things are changing. You and I have spoken about that. Yeah. It's, it's hard because you feel like they just think you're sitting at home.

Yeah. Yeah. Having a coffee. And even if you are, you sort of think, well, I've been doing this for 10 years. Like, yeah, maybe I want to, but you know, there's so much that goes on behind the scenes.  It's you just need more time to get stuff done for the salon or just like brain space to think about it. But you do feel guilty.

And I actually don't think about the clients. I feel guilty for my staff thinking that they're working harder than me because physically they probably are.  But mentally, you know,  it's different. Yeah. Because without you doing the back stuff, they actually don't have a job. Yeah. So, you know, it's that whole, like, if you don't have that space, that intellectual space and the physical space to spend the time working on your business, then they don't have business to work in either.

Cause sometimes you think, yep, they're on the floor more, but then you go, Oh my goodness, this stuff that I do full time. Like sometimes I'm like, 38 hours and walking it out would be magical as well. Because of. All of the other things that need to be done. So are you back in the salon now? I am back a couple days a week now, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, but next year I've just decided I'm just going to go back Tuesdays because it's just too much.

Yeah. Like two young kids. I've got a two year old and a two and a half year old and a six month old.  I just want to spend time with them and not be like running around crazy all the time. Yeah, and you do, you pick up, you drop off, you pick up, you drop off, you kind of need to as you find ebbs and flows in the business as well.

Like it's never just like a, all right, I'm completely on the floor. I'm completely off the floor. This is what it looks like. Yeah. And if somebody's off sick or, you know, on holidays, of course, I can do more. And over Christmas I'm working a lot. But, um, in the new year, it'll be quiet, so I will, like, they can be busy, they want the clients because they want to get their commissions and stuff, so it's better to leave it for them anyway.

Yep. What would you say, if you look over, so you've been doing this now how many years, 10? Nearly 10, yep.  What would you say  was your  most challenging moment? Or some of your most challenging moments? Or you've like learning points. If you were like, if someone else was like, I'm going to start a business. 

Yes, do share. I feel like I'm still going through that a lot. I think it's just like, I was listening to something and they said like the most, um, I don't know how to say it, but to be successful is like your level of grit. Like, it's not how good you are. It's like your tenacity to keep going and all that kind of thing.

And I think I just have kept. Yeah. Even when I didn't want to, um, I've just kept going and lots of people do stop. And like I've wanted to a lot of times, and if you could just sell a salon like that, I would have sold it, you know, a lot of times, but, um, 

yeah, I have just kept going. So  I think that would probably be, yeah, sleep on things and just keep going. Yeah. That's what they say. Hey, it's being that part of that 1%. You know, because everyone else, it is really hard and they will stop. So if you can be part of that 1 percent that will just keep going, that's the tenacity.

It's when you add, like it's, you know, being a business owner is already  busy, right? So being, you have a business, you grow a salon, you know, and as I said, Bridge did everything within a short period of time. She met her person, she built a salon, she bought a salon.  had a baby and then she had another baby and then she did this all with building stuff and you know, so it can feel like sometimes it all feels it's the mental noise.

Yeah, it's the, it's actually, yeah,  the mentality of it all is harder than the actual, I could work until I was like blue in the face, working hard doesn't worry me, but it's the,  like sleepless nights. Like, are we going to get more clients? It's quiet this week. Is that person happy? Like, she seemed a little bit sad when she left.

Like, you know, we were talking about this the other day. It's hard not to take that on because I care.  We were saying this the other night. I am back on the floor for the first time in a really long time and I, I love it. Like, I think, oh yeah, I was always meant to be back on the floor again because it just,  Take all of the management side of where I take all the noise away.

If I'm in here, I feel more in control and I've spoken about this. So this is the right place for me at the moment. I'm back on the books, I'm doing everything. So I feel in control again. So because I'm in control again, last roller feels right for me right now. And that doesn't mean that will change because life is busy, you know, raising, you know, five children and the balance of all the life it's busy, but I'm, I know I'm.

I am where I'm meant to be, but I did this insane makeover the other day. It was mental. It was a nighttime. She had all of this baby hair. So we gave it a chop and then I took her platinum. Right. So it was, and I was so in love with it. And she was just like, what'd she go?  Thanks. Thanks. And I just like sat there and looked around.

I was like,  really? Are you just processing? Like,  she was like, yeah, it's good. And I was like, okay.  Yeah, I know you meant to like, take your shirt off, swing it around your head and like, Oh my, I want that. Like, I'm like, I need the clients that are like, You are the greatest gift that ever happened to the earth.

Or just say, well, thanks. I love it. I love it. You've done such a good job. Yeah. It's like when they're real. Nothing. Yeah. And I'm like, I don't, Do you love it or do you hate it? Do you need me to charge you or not charge you?  Tell me what is happening here. I don't know what to do. And I got home and Then you're like, do you text them to be like, how's it feeling?

Or do you just let sleeping dogs lie? And like, you know? Oh my God. Every time. I've just automated it so that I know that I'm sending the text. But I'm not physically doing it. But then you just throw the phone out the window when they reply, you're like, oh my god. Or they're like, yeah, thanks, it's good.

And you're like, okay, cool, that just must be their personality. But you're not going with me ever again. Yeah, I was like,  caution, do not book with me. Need much more enthusiasm in  life. Um, because you're like, oh god, this is hard. It's the same way we do it with staff too, right? We're like, we're gonna do something.

And everyone's like, yay. And one person's like, cool, do you hate me? Are you gonna leave? Is this, is this her leaving? She's out. She's moving. Yeah, they say one sort of weird thing and you're like, that was weird. And then your mind like triggers back to like 10 semi kind of weird things. And then you're like, I bet she's looking for a job.

I've seen this other sale on tiring. I bet she's gone there and she's going to work four days and we'll offer her 600, 000.  It's like, you just do. And then you wake up the next day and you're like, hee hee. Oops.  Sorry about that. And then they come in, they're like, I just had an off day. And you're like, Oh, it was literally nothing.

It's just like a comment, like a comment. Yeah. I remember when you did like a mini renovation to the old Lazzarella and you'd spent like all your break between Christmas and New Year doing it and then everyone walked in and they're like, Oh yeah, it's good. And you're like, I walked in and it's like, Oh my God, it's amazing.

She's like, Thank you.  I really needed that. So, I've just done new menus at Laserilla, and for anyone that knows me, I've been doing menus, new menus for 18 months.  Eight, like, this time last year I said I was doing new menus, right? Um, and I wanted to get, like, I've got these beautiful leather bound books. I love them.

And I wanted to get all the wording right. So I've spent a whole year doing them. And then like, Indie says, my apartment smells of rich mahogany.  My menus are beautiful leather bound books.  Exactly right, Jen. They've cost me a fortune. Right. And I was like, no, they're going to be perfect. And then Indie's like, Hey, the menus have arrived.

I was like, Oh my God, are they good? She's like, yeah, they're good.  I know, they just don't know the work that goes in. And then she was like, oh, I like them.  And then she sent me a video, she's like, yeah, they're nice. And you're like, all of these things. She's like, what's wrong? And I was like, I'm just going to go and off myself.

I've just spent a year and what feels like 1 million making these menus. And then, so now, so then Michaela came to work and I was like, these are new menus. And Michaela's like, Oh, they're amazing. And I was like, Indy, that's the response I wanted. And then Indy's like, I said they were nice. I'm like, not with enthusiasm.

I was like, I was ready to burn them. Like, she's like, but they are nice. I'm like more enthusiasm. Like they just don't understand. More passion, more energy. More passion, more energy, more footwork. Same thing, I came into work and I was like, I had done all the Christmas decorations and I walked in and everyone's like, morning.

I'm like,  la la la la la.  I know they just don't see it. Like, it's just. They don't see what you see, or they're just like, they don't expect it. They're just like, cute! It's also though, they don't see like, you're putting all of this work behind it. And that you're taking time. They don't see the work. Yeah, they just see the thing.

They just see it happen. So they don't see the work. So they can't appreciate the amount, the mammoth work that it takes behind it. Cause it just happens. Yeah, they're not like, Oh, she hasn't spent time with her family to put the Christmas decorations up. Like, that was so, so cute.  Like, they're like, cool decorations.

Like they're also like, it's not my song again. It's been a year. Yeah. Yeah.  Yeah. It's like, cool. It's some Christmas decorations. So I'm like, I need more. And my team know that now I'm like, even if you have to fake it, fake it. Tell me it's amazing. Fake it, pretend that it's awesome. Go nuts. And then just be like, Oh, we gave her what she needed.

Yeah.  We faked it.  So, yeah, it's interesting how, yeah, you do that and you're like, I just need like, it's the same with clients. Can you just tell me you love me and then I'll feel better and then the day will be fine. Which is probably when you've come back you get new people and then you get like a bit unnerved.

Whereas like when you're used to having like your same old people, you're like just the tint and you're like cool. You don't even ask them if they like it because you're like, well, I know you like it because you've been coming for 10 years. So yeah, you love it because it's me and you think it's great.

And then probably even if they didn't exactly. Yeah, we're both literally going through that. I think every day at the moment, it's like, Oh my gosh, this is like fresh and raw. And like, do you like me? Do you like me? 

I'm like, and then they walk away. I'm like, did I talk too much? I went real deep in that conversation. Are they like, shut up. Let me just be in peace. I'm like, Oh, well, they got all of me. They know all my life story. I know there's I like it because, but it takes you that process when you've gotten off the floor and then gotten back on as a business owner, you're like.

Oh God. And then you think, does everyone think this way? Or is it just me? Because I'm so deep in making sure that everybody has an amazing experience. And then also while you're there, when you have your team as well, you're constantly watching everybody else. Like, is that person happy? They don't look really happy.

Why are they not happy? Do I need to go talk to them? Why do I need to go talk to them? Like, do I need to make sure that they're happy? Like, are they making sure that they're happy? Yeah, are they talking too much? Oh my God, now I'm talking too much. Like, it's the whole space of making sure that everybody is happy.

Because these days, it's not just endless clients. These days, we have to make sure that we're taking care of everybody because people do leave. Yeah, but it's kind of stressful that you feel, I sort of think too,  In my mind, I think, well, if they leave, it's not the right place. Like you can't be everyone to everybody, but it's actually really hard to put that into practice and be like, because it does feel personal when they leave.

Yeah. Are we talking about clients leaving or staff leaving? Yeah. Yeah. Both. Yeah. Both.  And I also feel like, again, when, when staff leave, you get an influx of new people. When clients leave, you get an influx of new people. Like we have having the most. Beautiful influx of new clients at the moment. That is just, it's always for the best or like fine in the end, but until you reach the other side, and you're in the thick of it, you're just like, what?

This is like, what are they doing that I'm not doing? Then you like, it's that insecurity thing.  It's also the comparison as well. Like, I think that's when you, I would say to anybody, and this is a, this has been a big turning point for me in, um, 2024. I am not everyone's cup of tea and I'm getting good with that.

Like I never used to be. It's a hard pill to swallow. It's one of those things you have to repeat to yourself all the time. Yeah. I'm not going to be for everyone. Yeah. And that is okay. That's okay. And it doesn't feel okay, but you just have to keep saying it. Right. Like how are you with that? I'm not okay with that.

Everyone has to love me. We're like quite similar like that. And I'll pretend that I don't care, but of course you care. Like. You totally care. Who doesn't care if someone doesn't like them. Yeah. I don't know, those people are magical unicorns, because I am like, deeply Unless they're mean, except when they're like, mean, you're like, I don't care if you don't like me, I'm not for everyone.

But when they're nice and they're not happy, you're like, aww. Yeah. I don't know, maybe it happens as you get older or something, but I'm getting pretty old. Surely I should be there. Um, yeah, it's like, always like, the older I get, the less I care, but I actually do care, I just am thinking about it less. Yeah.

Yeah. I don't think you care less as you get older. In my old age, I can say that I do not care less. But I'm becoming more comfortable with it. With it, yeah, okay. So yeah, I think even, you know, I, it's, a salon can be such a reflection. It's, you know, they're so personal and it's such a reflection of who we are in our own spaces.

For That, that's why people don't realize how it can affect us as well. Right. Yeah. Because it's, it's draining. Yeah. And then you have clients that leave and, and most people don't say anything. They just go, yeah. And then you are friends with them and then it's really awkward and they don't wanna have the conversation with you or why they left and there's just like this elephant in the room and you just pretend.

You just forget it forever. Right. And until you have clients come back. So I had a client come back this week and she had left and gone with an old staff member. And she's now back and she's like, I feel sick about it. Like, and I was like, did you feel sick about it when you left me the first time? But sometimes they just feel like a change.

Like, yeah, but like you weren't, you're on that leave more. I'm like, yeah, but you still left. So I hope you feel sick about leaving me for the first time as well. Cause I also had to deal with that on the other side,  but. I think you've just got to get like, and I think that's where you get to. You get to the point where you're just like, I'm not going to let it affect me anymore because my business will still run.

Whereas in the beginning, people don't understand the reason why it feels so overwhelming is because you feel like your walls are going to fall. Yeah. And it's only you. So the only reason they're leaving is because of you, because you are, you know, you are the business, but once you've got more stuff, you can't be in control of.

Everyone or everything. Someone wrote me like a handwritten letter, um, maybe like a year ago and I, cause I'd put some where underneath residential buildings, I put 50 off your first cust, uh, color with us or whatever, and somebody had like gone out of their way to write me a handwritten letter, like. I just think this is like appalling.

You're offering this off. What, how about you value your old clients? I used to come and I think you're, you know, basically running a terrible business. You need to be in there more. And like, this person didn't know that I had  like throwing up 10 times a day. I was like, I was,  I remember this and then not to put their name.

I'm like, at least put your name. So I know who you are. Yeah. So people don't realize that.  That, you know, it's so unnecessary and it just like, again, like we said, no one understands the background. Like no one is right now, that woman would never send that to Bridget if she knew that Bridget was struggling, raising a baby, pregnant with another one, super sick, still trying to run a business, making sure that everybody is like, cause what did this woman think that  But even if  I was just at home, like that's my prerogative.

Like that's not her to decide how many hours I have to work. What do people think that you're going to just be on the floor servicing everybody having no other line for the rest of your life, because that's what you're meant to do. It's like, that's not what this is. And building the biggest salon was so that it allowed more people, more space, more luxury, all of it.

But then no one sees it. I just want cheap hair and I just want you to do it.  I wanna bring my colors and I want you to apply it and do as I need it. So when you are evolving,  like I can't handle that evolvement and that's where it is. It's people that can't handle the ever evolvement of what a business looks like.

And then I, a lot of the time  it isn't our us. I feel like a lot of the time when things like this happen, it is a personal shift of what's happening in their lives at that point. Yeah, 100%. And.  for some reason in our industry, it's what's put back on us. So, you know, someone's having a horrible day and they're coming in and they expect their hair to be the thing that fixes it.

That fixes everything else in their life. Yeah. And then everything is like. Hairdressing is really weird like that. Like  the amount of effort you have to put into doing someone's hair.  is so much, but they expect like even more. Whereas if you went and got like your Botox done or like a facial, you're like, it wasn't the best facial, but whatever.

Like, you're not going to be like, excuse me, that wasn't the best facial I've ever had. You know, people, it's just like a weird level that hairdressers are held up to a standard, but people don't want to pay. So I think that's why it's like even more hard. You're like, well, you can't have both.  I don't know.

You're going to be here for like, have the most amazing hair here for five hours. Have all the coffees, get all the luxury. It's like.  We pour out a lot  and personally pour out a lot. And again, all of these things, like we're saying, do they like it? Is that okay? Like that's all what goes on the background full time as well.

Even while the foils are processing, should I have used 6%? Oh no, it's not lifting. Is it lifting? Oh my God. I think they're all lifting. Oh, we're going to have to take them over to the basin. Oh my God. I did this on, cause I did that client that I had back and I was like, oh my God, what if I do it wrong?

And what if it's crap? Like, how does Stella get her groove back? Like, what if it's not the right thing? And you can pay yourself because you've, I've got such talented staff and I watch them. I'm like, I don't know if I'm just going to make this up. And you do it and you're like,  that's what you told me to do.

So I'm going to do it. And then I was like, hold your breath, blow dry it.  Look, how does it feel? How does it feel? It feel  . I love it. Oh, thank fuck. Okay. The right think. Yeah. It's nice. Fuck . Yeah.  You know, and my, I teach my apprentices like, they're like, I don't know what I'm doing. I don't, and I'm like, neither do I have the time.

No. Like I know what I'm doing, but I never know if it's always the right choice. And I'm just hoping to go, we're always just responding to the outcome of the choice that we made. Yeah. We're using the information that we had to make a choice and then see what the outcome of that choice was. And then responding to that.

Yeah. That is what we're doing. It's amazing. You're like,  I'm not sure if I'm really set on the toner, but you love it. So I know you're like, do I point it out and make myself redo it? Or do we just wait and see if that, cause you sometimes what you like and what they like.  It's cool. Yeah. Next time we'll go a bit.

It's like, it's just so hard. Yeah. And you don't always get it right. It's just so chill. Yeah. And then other clients that are so not chill.  So,  yeah, it's just a constant, I feel like it's been a constant involvement, but it's an involvement of ourselves as well. You know, from, you know, like if I watch your journey as we've been friends, it was like bridge on her own in her space.

And then you, then you got staff and then you got the biggest salon, then you got met Andrew, you got pregnant and you had the kids had another salon. It's, That full involvement of yourself the whole time too. Like you can't just stay the person you were when we met and vice versa. We've gone through so much together and watched so much together and developed all the businesses together  that, but underneath we're still those people underneath there that are just wanting clients to be happy.

Yeah. We're just trying to keep a business alive so that it can afford our lives. I think that's what probably makes businesses successful. Like if you didn't care. You wouldn't have, like, you'd either have a crappy business or you would have like given up long ago. Yeah. Yeah. It's caring that makes it hurt, but it's also caring that will make you thrive.

Yeah, exactly. Yeah. If you didn't care, your business wouldn't, especially in such a  service based industry. Yeah, for sure. And you probably noticed, like, coming back, like, I noticed, cause I'd had a bit of time off, basically, like, three years when I had the kids, like, things that were happening that weren't, like, bad, but I'm like, Oh, I don't like when the coffee cups left there, like when the clients, when it's empty and like, is that really a big deal?

No. But when I'm there, I can be like, Oh, Hey, like, do you mind if we just, you can't pick up on everything like that if you're not in the salon. And you can't like be looking at the camera at home saying, can you move that coffee cup? You know, even though you want to.  Yeah. So it's kind of good to involve yourself and get like, you know, you see things that are happening.

I think businesses do do better when you're involved just to what level you can manage. Yep. What would your biggest tip be or advice be to another business owner that's like listening to this, that someone's like, Ooh,  probably needed to hear that. Just start small with what you can, like work with what you've got.

Like I, the salon was so old. Everything was like silver, vinyl and blue.  Gross when I started and I just have one of those doors that swung too. Oh, yeah Yeah, I did like a barn door. Yeah. Yeah It swung, it was awesome. I'm like ceiling fan like these old ceiling fans that you could like reach up and touch and Fluoro lights like I didn't have fancy lighting um But that's how we all started.

Like you think back to where I was in the beginning, same thing. Like we took the salon over on a Saturday and we started working by the Tuesday. It was like a coat of paint. Some, and we thought it was the greatest thing that ever happened. Yeah. I was so proud of my like little salon and I think people see on Instagram, like beautiful salons and that, but you can't like, it's hard for us to like, for me to feel a salon.

of a hundred meters, I need to have staff to make it successful. Whereas you can start in a smaller space and just work your bum off and, you know, just be you. Like just start small and yeah, just keep going. You've also been always been really good financially. Like you've always been, and I think that's the big key to, you know, people, how, how do you get to where you get, you've always been very switched on when it came to financials and how you ran things, which allowed you to work your butt off and get to where you are, regardless of even when in the beginning, when you're applying people's colors for them, that they brought in, you always switched into the financial side of it.

So you also never. Well, from what I can see from the outside as your friend, you never lived beyond your means of being a salon owner and it allowed you to continue to build your business because that's what you see a lot of the time is people want to run before they walk. Yeah. It's that keeping up with the Joneses thing, right?

And that's that whole, it's like, well, you're starting somewhere. Yeah. You've got to start somewhere. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And just having someone to support you with that. Like my mum was an accountant. Yeah. Mm hmm. My husband's a banker so I had people like I paid myself a wage like I lived very modestly like I don't  You know don't spend what you can't afford and if you can't you know get extensions And you don't really want to do them don't buy them for the clients You know you don't I don't do margaritas and cocktails at my salon because I don't want to spend Money on that because I have to put the prices up like I don't I just keep things really To like what my values are yeah and like our sounds are very similar But they're also very different and we charge different prices and have different structures So you just have to concentrate on like what you're doing That's such great advice. 

Yeah, when you're in that, and again, we're all close friends, we support each other massively, and you know, it's almost like that back, not like the background we need, otherwise it would feel so hard when it feels so lonely, that's why we say community is so important, but remembering that you are your own salon, so every, and every, Because you are your own person, right?

Yeah. And you love your, like, everybody loves different things, you're, you're your own person, you want to attract people, And your salon is going to reflect that. Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. And but having your people on the other side, you know, to be like, you know, there's been situations where, you know, we'll talk and then all of a sudden everyone will be like, okay, this is, you know, there was one actually the other day with me that, um, I was talking to you guys about and one of the other girls, Brooke, got on there and was talking to me about things.

And I was just like, I needed that. Thank you. And you just need to be validated. You need to be validated. You can't talk to like anybody else about, you can't be like, To the staff, like, Oh, blah, blah is being mean to, you know, that was a bit weird. You can't, you just have to like hold it together until you get home and be like, I don't know, you just need someone to bounce it off.

So, yeah, it's so, you know, and having also your friends that are, you know, hugely supportive as well, um, to be, Like having you back, you know, as I said, like when we launched, um, Salon Rising and when we launched the podcast, having someone like you, that is so supportive of doing, of like, I love it. Yeah.

It's the messages, you know, it's the messages of like, nobody tells you that you're doing a good job. And it's one thing for like your husband or your parents to be like, you're awesome. But like,  sometimes you just need it from somebody else who's actually like part of it. You know, like I think I'm doing awesome, but.

Like, you know, and you just don't really, sometimes I think it's almost, I would be better as an employee. Cause I love people to tell me that I'm doing a good job. And you just don't really get that. Like if some, if you said that to me, I'd be like, thanks. That's cute. Like you too, like, you know, tell Bridget more, she's doing a good job.

Cause I honestly do look at you and think you've done such an extraordinary job. Like, and you've built. So beautifully, and then you've had babies in it, and I just think, yeah, watching what you've done in such a short period of time. But you've done it with all the steps put in place. You didn't just go for hell for leather and do it all at once.

All the steps were put in place. It was all very thought through. You know, you do everything so, with so much thought and mindfulness that it's, it's been such a joy and a pleasure. And I feel so lucky to watch and be a part of.  You're very good at what you do. Thank you. You're really good at what you do, Bridget. 

Um, so as we said to anyone, feel free to, um, follow our girl Bridget. Oh, please do. Thank you. Reach out, tell her that you love the podcast because she does that to us and honestly it makes a big difference. So when Jen and I are like, please give us praise. Yeah. It's generally Bridget. But I don't think I've like, have I liked and subscribed?

It's just such a barrier to entry, isn't it? It is. It is. It's hard to actually touch and. I must subscribe because I get the updates, but I could give you five stars, you know, I would love that. I would really love that. Five stars episode with Bridget. Um, but yeah, I, I honestly like I'll. I don't even know when an episode's going out, then I'll get a message and I'll smile because I'll be like, I bet you it's a Monday and I bet you it's Bridgette telling me.

Or Bridgette wants to know the inside gossip that she, no one else gets because she gets it because she's my girlfriend. So, um, yeah, I love Bridgette.  I love that side of it because it is, the podcast is a joy job for Jen and I to do. So when people are like, I loved it, we were like, Oh, thank God.  Thank God.

We're not just full on, like even sitting there with it. Like you guys are so good at talking to each other. It's like, you just like.  It's not natural to do what you're doing and you're doing like, you're doing a good job.  Even when Bridget stops listening, that's when we stop the podcast. Yeah.  That is it.

You'll know I'm mad at you if I like, if you don't get the messages, you'll be like, Oh, I've done something, Bridget didn't like that. But yes, Bridget. Thank you, Bridge, for coming on our first, like, I was like, Bridget, too bad. You're just coming on now. Like, it's just happening. This is the day. We've said it for so long.

We've said it since, like, episode three, season one. We were like, Bridget has to come on the podcast. So it's so nice that you and Vera were able to join us today. Thank you so much. guys. Watch this space. I'm sure later we'll text each other and say, So burn it down today or, you know, everything feels okay today.

Let's keep moving forward. It turns out that was the top of the way. 

Let's get through Christmas, girlfriend. Yeah. Yes. Yeah. We'll see you on the other side. All right. All right. Thanks so much for listening guys. We hope you enjoyed Bridget's story and we will be back soon. Goodbye. Bye.