What a year!!

In this raw, honest, and surprisingly uplifting episode, Sam and Jen sit down to unpack the real 2025. The chaos, the curveballs, the court battles, the soaring rent, the unexpected grief, the kids’ schedules, the moments of magic, and the beautiful anchor that their salons have become.

From navigating explosive life seasons to rediscovering joy in small team culture, this conversation is a reminder that you can rebuild, recalibrate and keep rising, even when life feels loud.

They talk through what changed, what surprised them, what hurt, and what healed and why joy, rest, and the power of a mighty small team have reshaped the way they’ll run life and business in 2026. If you’ve had a year that stretched you, softened you or forced you to pivot, this episode will feel like a deep breath and a moment of being seen.

What we cover

• The lease shock, the pivot plans and choosing a smaller, stronger team
• Court battles, grief, overwhelm and learning to protect your peace
• Why joy (not hustle) is the new KPI for 2026
• The value of unplugging, resetting, and building in space before burnout hits
• Letting go of control, embracing change and finding your anchor in the chaos

This is a conversation about the year that shaped us and the clarity, courage and joy we’re taking forward.

Timestamps:

00:00 Episode Summary

02:08 Christmas Preparations and Traditions

04:04 Balancing Business and Personal Life

09:10 Lease Challenges and Business Adaptations

16:22 Navigating Legal Battles and Personal Struggles

24:02 Reflecting on a Year in Business

24:39 Embracing the Power of Saying Yes

25:40 The Importance of Taking Time Off

27:17 Overcoming Overwhelm and Finding Balance

28:24 Creating Joyful Memories with Family

29:42 The Need for Personal Space and Self Care

32:22 Pivoting in Life and Business

41:11 Setting Goals and Embracing Uncertainty

46:24 Final Reflections and Looking Ahead

Mentioned in this episode:

💛 A HUGE Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsors - Timely

We’ve partnered with Timely to bring you something special:

➡ Enjoy a 14 day free trial to see how Timely can transform your salon.

➡ New customers get 50% off their first 3 months.

If you've been thinking about levelling up your salon systems, this is your moment. Timely is designed specifically for salons. Helping you manage bookings, clients, staff, and more with ease.

Use the code SALONRISING at checkout or click the link below to to claim the offer. 👇

Timely

💖 Celebrating Our Podcast Partner – Christophe Robin, proudly distributed by McM Imports

We’ve partnered with Christophe Robin and MCM Imports to bring you something beautiful:

➡ Experience the Christophe Robin Discovery Box — curated by pro ambassador Monique McMahon.

➡ Inside, you’ll find her handpicked favourites — the hero products she swears by in the salon.

It’s your invitation to explore the range and discover why Christophe Robin has become a quiet obsession among stylists who know their craft.

Click the link below to request your FREE Christophe Robin Discovery Box, exclusively through McM Imports. 👇

MCM

What’s really working for salons right now...and what isn’t?

In this Mini Moment, Jen sits down with Jeanette from Salon First to unpack findings from her Business Success 2025 Survey, which gathered insights from over 200 salon owners across Australia. The results reveal what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and where salon owners should really be focusing their energy this year.

From retention struggles to menu simplification and the rise of lash, brow and skin services, this chat cuts through the noise to highlight what’s actually moving the needle in 2025.

💡 What we cover:

• The biggest shifts salons are making this year
• Why retention matters more than reach
• How to simplify your service menu for profit
• What 200 salons said about memberships and growth
• Why listening to clients still trumps every trend

A grounded reminder that success in 2025 isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what works, and doing it well.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

00:52 Discussing the Feedback Survey

03:16 Key Takeaways from the Survey

08:15 Trends and Profitable Services

Mentioned in this episode:

💖 Celebrating Our Podcast Partner – Christophe Robin, proudly distributed by McM Imports

We’ve partnered with Christophe Robin and MCM Imports to bring you something beautiful:

➡ Experience the Christophe Robin Discovery Box — curated by pro ambassador Monique McMahon.

➡ Inside, you’ll find her handpicked favourites — the hero products she swears by in the salon.

It’s your invitation to explore the range and discover why Christophe Robin has become a quiet obsession among stylists who know their craft.

Click the link below to request your FREE Christophe Robin Discovery Box, exclusively through McM Imports. 👇

MCM

💛 A HUGE Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsors - Timely

We’ve partnered with Timely to bring you something special:

➡ Enjoy a 14 day free trial to see how Timely can transform your salon.

➡ New customers get 50% off their first 3 months.

If you've been thinking about levelling up your salon systems, this is your moment. Timely is designed specifically for salons. Helping you manage bookings, clients, staff, and more with ease.

Use the code SALONRISING at checkout or click the link below to to claim the offer. 👇

Timely

What happens when life forces you to do the hard thing and you come out steadier, wiser, and more at peace with who you are?

In this raw and generous conversation, Alex Fuchs — APAC Colour Master for KEVIN.MURPHY and owner of Fuchs Hair in Sydney, opens up about army bunkers, resilience, court battles, leadership wobbles, and the journey back to a client first salon he truly loves.

We go deep on identity, pressure, growing a career and a family at the same time, and the quiet power of being seen in the chair.

Timestamps

00:00 Episode Summary

01:22 Podcast Introduction and Guest Welcome

02:42 Reconnecting with Alex

03:26 Alex's Career Journey

18:14 The Army Experience

27:56 Life in Australia

38:52 Oversharing and Its Consequences

39:19 Support from the Salon Team

39:34 Court Rulings and Emotional Impact

40:00 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

41:00 Leadership Challenges in the Salon

42:27 Reflections on Salon Management

44:52 Client Connections and Authenticity

46:41 The Importance of Client Experience

01:00:47 Social Media and Young Hairdressers

01:02:35 Adapting and Evolving in the Industry

01:06:29 Final Thoughts and Reflections

If you’ve ever felt like the wheels were coming off behind the scenes, this one will feel like a deep breath and a hand squeeze.

💡 What we cover:

• The mirror moment that became Alex’s turning point
• Resilience lessons from compulsory service to courtroom stress
• Losing team, finding culture, and leading without people pleasing
• Smaller team, better profit, and falling back in love with clients
• Socials as one pillar and putting client experience back at the centre

If this episode made you feel seen, hit subscribe and share it with a salon friend who needs it today.

Mentioned in this episode:

💖 Celebrating Our Podcast Partner – Christophe Robin, proudly distributed by McM Imports

We’ve partnered with Christophe Robin and MCM Imports to bring you something beautiful:

➡ Experience the Christophe Robin Discovery Box — curated by pro ambassador Monique McMahon.

➡ Inside, you’ll find her handpicked favourites — the hero products she swears by in the salon.

It’s your invitation to explore the range and discover why Christophe Robin has become a quiet obsession among stylists who know their craft.

Click the link below to request your FREE Christophe Robin Discovery Box, exclusively through McM Imports. 👇

MCM

💛 A HUGE Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsors - Timely

We’ve partnered with Timely to bring you something special:

➡ Enjoy a 14 day free trial to see how Timely can transform your salon.

➡ New customers get 50% off their first 3 months.

If you've been thinking about levelling up your salon systems, this is your moment. Timely is designed specifically for salons. Helping you manage bookings, clients, staff, and more with ease.

Use the code SALONRISING at checkout or click the link below to to claim the offer. 👇

Timely