In today's midweek episode, Susan shares what motivated her to start this podcast. Reflecting on her extensive experience in the beauty industry, Susan recounts how the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted her to connect with salon and clinic owners through interviews, providing vital information during a time of uncertainty. She also discusses the evolution of her initiatives, including the successful 'Beauty and the Best' books and the popular Beauty Roundup events, which foster community and learning among beauty professionals.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Creating a podcast was a natural next step for Susan, after years of experience in the beauty industry.

• The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Susan to start interviewing other salon owners to provide valuable information and support during a time of uncertainty.

• Initiatives like the Beauty Directors Club and the Beauty Roundup events were established to foster community, share experiences, and inspire salon owners, highlighting the importance of collaboration over competition.

• Susan achieved bestseller status with her book 'Beauty and the Best', which showcased a collection of stories from industry professionals.

BEST MOMENTS

"I thought a great thing to do would be to try and bring the right people who could help with things like furlough and all the things that everyone was in total confusion about."

"The Beauty Roundup events have been absolutely phenomenal. You can see all of the 'aha' moments where someone thinks, 'wow, I could do that.'"

"I had been thinking about doing a podcast for so, so long. I decided that I would go with the largest podcast company in the UK."

"It's just been such a fabulous journey. We've had fabulous CEOs of companies like Ronan from Forrest, David Alpert from IIAA."

"The messages that I get as well have just been overwhelming to get beautiful feedback about how inspiring everyone's finding the podcast."

HOST BIO

Susan Routledge is a distinguished figure in the beauty industry with over 38 years of experience. As a multi-award-winning salon owner and international business consultant, she's recognized among the top UK industry influencers for her passion and dedication.

Known for her down-to-earth, light-hearted approach, Susan is an international speaker and established awards judge. She founded the exclusive Beauty Directors Club, a global membership community for salon, clinic, and spa owners, offering business resources and multi-expert advice. Susan also created the online "Salon Success Freedom" program to help beauty businesses thrive.

Susan founded and has grown her clinic of 36 years in Co. Durham into the largest independent beauty salon in Northeast England. She is the creator of the trademarked STABLE business formula and author of "The Little Book of Client Retention" and the world's No. 1 bestsellers "Bea And the Best" 1 and 2.

She serves on the Professional Board for BABTAC, helping to represent and raise industry standards, and on the advisory board for the prestigious PHAB Service Stars.

Susan's expertise continues to shape and elevate the beauty industry worldwide.

USEFUL LINKS

https://susanroutledge.com

https://www.instagram.com/susan_routledge/

SPONSOR

https://www.phorest.com/

Host Susan Routledge shares her personal journey in the beauty industry, reflecting on her early fascination with makeup and hair, the challenges she faced while starting her own business, and the profound impact of her father's sudden passing. Susan discusses her evolution from a home-based beauty service to owning a successful salon, winning prestigious awards, and eventually stepping back to focus on helping other salon owners through her initiatives like the Beauty Directors Club. She also highlights her passion for education, networking, and the importance of community within the industry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Passion for Beauty: From a young age, there was a strong fascination with the beauty industry, leading to a lifelong commitment to pursuing a career in beauty therapy and hairdressing.

Overcoming Challenges: The journey included significant challenges, such as the loss of a parent and the realisation that the initial business was built to impress rather than fulfill personal passion.

Continuous Learning and Growth: Emphasizing the importance of education, the individual pursued teaching qualifications and refresher courses, which ultimately contributed to the success of the salon and the ability to help others in the industry.

Community and Support: The establishment of the Beauty Directors Club highlights the value of community in the beauty industry, providing a platform for salon owners to connect, share experiences, and support one another.

BEST MOMENTS

"I always think if you're going to dream, you may as well dream big." - Susan

"I just wish I'd stopped." - Susan

"I realized that like this business I'd built up wasn't really the business that I wanted." - Susan

"I think there's so much help out there and learning from each other is definitely the way forwards." - Susan

HOST BIO

Susan Routledge is a distinguished figure in the beauty industry with over 38 years of experience. As a multi-award-winning salon owner and international business consultant, she's recognized among the top UK industry influencers for her passion and dedication.

Known for her down-to-earth, light-hearted approach, Susan is an international speaker and established awards judge. She founded the exclusive Beauty Directors Club, a global membership community for salon, clinic, and spa owners, offering business resources and multi-expert advice. Susan also created the online "Salon Success Freedom" program to help beauty businesses thrive.

Susan founded and has grown her clinic of 36 years in Co. Durham into the largest independent beauty salon in Northeast England. She is the creator of the trademarked STABLE business formula and author of "The Little Book of Client Retention" and the world's No. 1 bestsellers "Bea And the Best" 1 and 2.

She serves on the Professional Board for BABTAC, helping to represent and raise industry standards, and on the advisory board for the prestigious PHAB Service Stars.

Susan's expertise continues to shape and elevate the beauty industry worldwide.

USEFUL LINKS

https://susanroutledge.com

https://www.instagram.com/susan_routledge/

Susan Routledge interviews Lesley Castor, the founder of the multi-award-winning City Retreat salon chain. Lesley shares her fascinating journey into the beauty industry, starting from her unconventional beginnings in a factory to becoming a successful salon owner. She discusses the challenges she faced in the early years of her business, the importance of creating a positive team culture, and her commitment to delivering exceptional client experiences. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the beauty industry, including tips on location selection, team building, and maintaining high standards. Lesley also reflects on her passion for the industry and the significance of awards in showcasing her salon's achievements.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Importance of Location: Choosing a salon location with high foot traffic is crucial for attracting clients. A

Building a Strong Team Culture: Establishing a positive and supportive team culture is essential.

Passion and Determination: A genuine passion for the beauty industry and a strong work ethic are vital for overcoming challenges.

Continuous Learning and Adaptation: The beauty industry is ever-evolving, and staying updated with trends and techniques is important.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think it was being together all day and all night I thought I need to do something for myself here."- Lesley

"You can see how now you've developed that as a big thing in your business. Your team are absolutely fabulous and I know that is so important to you." - Susan

"I just wanted to make sure that the client doesn't come out feeling like that and what can we add to the treatment that makes it that little bit more special."- Lesley

"If you've got a dream, then follow it, but stick to your vision. Don't get sidetracked. Don't compromise."- Lesley

https://www.city-retreat.com/

HOST BIO

Susan Routledge is a distinguished figure in the beauty industry with over 38 years of experience. As a multi-award-winning salon owner and international business consultant, she's recognized among the top UK industry influencers for her passion and dedication.

Known for her down-to-earth, light-hearted approach, Susan is an international speaker and established awards judge. She founded the exclusive Beauty Directors Club, a global membership community for salon, clinic, and spa owners, offering business resources and multi-expert advice. Susan also created the online "Salon Success Freedom" program to help beauty businesses thrive.

Susan founded and has grown her clinic of 36 years in Co. Durham into the largest independent beauty salon in Northeast England. She is the creator of the trademarked STABLE business formula and author of "The Little Book of Client Retention" and the world's No. 1 bestsellers "Bea And the Best" 1 and 2.

She serves on the Professional Board for BABTAC, helping to represent and raise industry standards, and on the advisory board for the prestigious PHAB Service Stars.

Susan's expertise continues to shape and elevate the beauty industry worldwide.

USEFUL LINKS

https://susanroutledge.com

https://www.instagram.com/susan_routledge/

Susan sits down with Nergish Wadia-Austin, the founder of PHAB Service Stars, to discuss her remarkable journey in the hair and beauty industry. Nergish shares her unique background, starting from her education in India and Hong Kong to managing the largest salon in the world at Harrods. The conversation delves into the importance of maintaining high standards in the industry and how the PHAB Service Stars program serves as a benchmark for excellence, helping professionals excel and gain recognition. Nergish emphasizes the significance of ongoing education, customer care, and the impact of high standards on business success. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their practice and understand the value of striving for excellence in the beauty sector.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Importance of Standards: High standards in the beauty and hair industry are crucial for success.
• FAB Service Stars: The PHAB Service Stars program, which stands for Performance in Hair and Beauty, serves as a benchmark for salons and professionals to measure their performance against industry norms.
• Continuous Education: Ongoing education and training are essential in the beauty industry.
• Recognition and Motivation: Achieving a PHAB Service Star is akin to winning a prestigious award, providing recognition that motivates professionals to maintain high standards and encourages others in the salon to aspire to similar excellence.

BEST MOMENTS

"PHAB is spelled P-H-A-B, and that stands for Performance in Hair and Beauty. It's a service star to compare to for people who are striving to be the best." - Nergish

"I always liken it to a Michelin star. It's going to that level above, like you say, above what the average is." - Susan

"The beauty about standards is they don't cost anything. It's pure dedication that does that. Pure dedication and wanting to excel."- Nergish

"The PHAB service star can't be bought; it has to be earned."- Nergish

HOST BIO

Susan Routledge is a distinguished figure in the beauty industry with over 38 years of experience. As a multi-award-winning salon owner and international business consultant, she's recognized among the top UK industry influencers for her passion and dedication.

Known for her down-to-earth, light-hearted approach, Susan is an international speaker and established awards judge. She founded the exclusive Beauty Directors Club, a global membership community for salon, clinic, and spa owners, offering business resources and multi-expert advice. Susan also created the online "Salon Success Freedom" program to help beauty businesses thrive.

Susan founded and has grown her clinic of 36 years in Co. Durham into the largest independent beauty salon in Northeast England. She is the creator of the trademarked STABLE business formula and author of "The Little Book of Client Retention" and the world's No. 1 bestsellers "Bea And the Best" 1 and 2.

She serves on the Professional Board for BABTAC, helping to represent and raise industry standards, and on the advisory board for the prestigious PHAB Service Stars.

Susan's expertise continues to shape and elevate the beauty industry worldwide.

USEFUL LINKS

https://susanroutledge.com

https://www.instagram.com/susan_routledge/

Susan Routledge welcomes Marie Tudor, CEO of the Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity and Masced Training. They discuss the vital importance of early detection of skin cancer and the accessible training offered to beauty professionals and the general public for just £20. Marie shares her journey with the charity, highlighting the impact of education on skin cancer prevention and the role beauty industry professionals play in saving lives. The conversation also delves into the history of tanning, the significance of skin health awareness, and the charity's initiatives in schools and communities.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Importance of Early Detection: The training provided by the charity focuses on the early detection of skin cancer, which can significantly save lives.

Affordable Training: The training is offered at a low cost of £20, making it accessible for individuals in the beauty industry and beyond.

Impact of Education: The charity emphasizes that 90% of skin cancers are preventable, highlighting the importance of education in reducing skin cancer rates.

Community Engagement: The charity has developed programs for schools and nurseries to educate children about sun safety, aiming to instil healthy habits from a young age.

BEST MOMENTS

"We discovered that 90% of skin cancers are preventable, so we decided to focus on education and working with at-risk and influential audiences." - Marie

"I know that we have saved clients' lives through your training, so I cannot thank you enough." - Susan

"The beauty industry has such a powerful role to play because they're actually saving the NHS money." -Marie

"If a child gets sunburned under adolescence, it doubles your chances of getting melanoma later in life." - Marie

HOST BIO

Susan Routledge is a distinguished figure in the beauty industry with over 38 years of experience. As a multi-award-winning salon owner and international business consultant, she's recognized among the top UK industry influencers for her passion and dedication.

Known for her down-to-earth, light-hearted approach, Susan is an international speaker and established awards judge. She founded the exclusive Beauty Directors Club, a global membership community for salon, clinic, and spa owners, offering business resources and multi-expert advice. Susan also created the online "Salon Success Freedom" program to help beauty businesses thrive.

Susan founded and has grown her clinic of 36 years in Co. Durham into the largest independent beauty salon in Northeast England. She is the creator of the trademarked STABLE business formula and author of "The Little Book of Client Retention" and the world's No. 1 bestsellers "Bea And the Best" 1 and 2.

She serves on the Professional Board for BABTAC, helping to represent and raise industry standards, and on the advisory board for the prestigious PHAB Service Stars.

USEFUL LINKS

https://susanroutledge.com

https://www.instagram.com/susan_routledge/

https://www.skcin.org/

Susan Routledge welcomes her friend and business mentor, Tony Bache, known for her expertise in scaling seven-figure businesses. The conversation delves into the transformative role of AI in the beauty industry, exploring how it can streamline operations and enhance marketing strategies for salons. Tony shares her extensive experience with AI tools, including ChatGPT, and discusses the importance of maintaining a human touch in client interactions. They also touch on effective social media strategies, emphasizing the need for authentic content that resonates with audiences.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Human Connection is Irreplaceable: In the beauty industry, the personal touch and connection with clients are crucial.

Content Quality Over Quantity: Instead of posting frequently with generic content, focus on creating fewer, high-quality posts that resonate with your audience.

Utilize AI for Ideation: AI can be a valuable resource for brainstorming content ideas and drafting posts.

Engagement and Community Building: Actively engage with local businesses and your audience on social media.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think it's like, for me, it's like the fact it's an accelerator, it's an amplifier... what else could have you spent that time on?" - Toni

"If you're in the beauty industry, probably your least favourite thing to do is all of the admin... that's the stuff that's going to be automated." - Toni

"I think we are in such a fortunate industry where... human contact and the connection that we have with clients, you're never going to be replaced with that." - Susan

"You need to be the flamingo in the sea of seagulls. If you want people to actually see your stuff, it's got to be a bit different." - Toni

HOST BIO

Susan Routledge is a distinguished figure in the beauty industry with over 38 years of experience. As a multi-award-winning salon owner and international business consultant, she's recognized among the top UK industry influencers for her passion and dedication.

Known for her down-to-earth, light-hearted approach, Susan is an international speaker and established awards judge. She founded the exclusive Beauty Directors Club, a global membership community for salon, clinic, and spa owners, offering business resources and multi-expert advice. Susan also created the online "Salon Success Freedom" program to help beauty businesses thrive.

Susan founded and has grown her clinic of 36 years in Co. Durham into the largest independent beauty salon in Northeast England. She is the creator of the trademarked STABLE business formula and author of "The Little Book of Client Retention" and the world's No. 1 bestsellers "Bea And the Best" 1 and 2.

She serves on the Professional Board for BABTAC, helping to represent and raise industry standards, and on the advisory board for the prestigious PHAB Service Stars.

Susan's expertise continues to shape and elevate the beauty industry worldwide.

USEFUL LINKS

https://susanroutledge.com

https://www.instagram.com/susan_routledge/

Susan Routledge engages in an insightful conversation with leadership expert Sue Ingram, who shares her extensive experience in helping beauty business owners enhance their leadership skills. The discussion revolves around the six essential leadership skills necessary for success in the beauty industry, including the importance of having a clear vision, understanding different personality types, and the value of coaching individuals. Sue emphasizes the need for curiosity in managing clients and teams, as well as the significance of involving staff in decision-making processes to foster a collaborative environment.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Importance of Vision: Business owners need to have a clear vision of who they are, what they deliver, and what differentiates them from competitors.

Understanding Personality Types: Recognizing and adapting to different personality types is crucial for effective communication and teamwork. This skill allows business owners to connect with clients and manage diverse teams effectively.

Coaching Skills: Developing coaching skills is essential for getting the best out of individuals, whether they are team members or clients. Helping others feel good about themselves enhances their performance and satisfaction.

Inclusion in Decision-Making: Involving team members in decision-making fosters a sense of ownership and accountability. This approach prevents a parent-child dynamic and encourages a collaborative work environment.

BEST MOMENTS

"If you put out wishy-washy, you get wishy-washy. You'll get clients who don't turn up on time. You'll get clients who don't know what treatment they want." - Susan

"Curiosity has to be number one. When someone buys, why are they buying? When someone doesn't buy, why are they not buying?" - Sue

"You need to have a vision. You need to know who you are, what you're delivering, and what makes you different from the business down the road." - Sue

"I always think you can teach someone skills, but how they present themselves and their attitude is really, really important." - Susan

HOST BIO

Susan Routledge is a distinguished figure in the beauty industry with over 38 years of experience. As a multi-award-winning salon owner and international business consultant, she's recognized among the top UK industry influencers for her passion and dedication.

Known for her down-to-earth, light-hearted approach, Susan is an international speaker and established awards judge. She founded the exclusive Beauty Directors Club, a global membership community for salon, clinic, and spa owners, offering business resources and multi-expert advice. Susan also created the online "Salon Success Freedom" program to help beauty businesses thrive.

Susan founded and has grown her clinic of 36 years in Co. Durham into the largest independent beauty salon in Northeast England. She is the creator of the trademarked STABLE business formula and author of "The Little Book of Client Retention" and the world's No. 1 bestsellers "Bea And the Best" 1 and 2.

She serves on the Professional Board for BABTAC, helping to represent and raise industry standards, and on the advisory board for the prestigious PHAB Service Stars.

Susan's expertise continues to shape and elevate the beauty industry worldwide.

USEFUL LINKS

https://susanroutledge.com

https://www.instagram.com/susan_routledge/

Susan sits down with Sarah Abel, author of "The Power of Funding in the Hair and Beauty Business." Sarah shares her incredible journey from being a Saturday girl in a hair salon to securing over six million pounds in government funding for hair and beauty businesses. The conversation delves into her personal experiences, including her challenges with ADHD and how she has developed techniques to manage it while growing her business. Listeners will be inspired by Sarah's resilience, her insights on the importance of education and strategic partnerships, and her passion for helping others succeed in the industry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Importance of Education and Training: The guest emphasizes the significance of education in the hair and beauty sector. She established a training academy to provide apprenticeships and upskill individuals, highlighting the need for robust training programs to enhance industry standards.

Securing Funding: Over six million pounds in government funding was secured through a proactive approach to identifying various funding opportunities. The guest's curiosity and networking skills played a crucial role in discovering and accessing these financial resources.

Building Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations and strategic partnerships are essential for business growth. The guest advocates for win-win relationships, where both parties benefit, which can lead to increased opportunities and resources.

BEST MOMENTS

"I was very good at seeing the picture of what they wanted... I was good at finding funding." - Sarah

"I think people don't stick at things long enough for them to work. I was definitely stuck at things long enough to make it happen." - Sarah

"You must have been thinking, oh my God, this woman's coming over to me again." - Susan

USEFUL LINKS

https://susanroutledge.com

https://www.instagram.com/susan_routledge/

HOST BIO

Susan Routledge is a distinguished figure in the beauty industry with over 38 years of experience. As a multi-award-winning salon owner and international business consultant, she's recognized among the top UK industry influencers for her passion and dedication.

Known for her down-to-earth, light-hearted approach, Susan is an international speaker and established awards judge. She founded the exclusive Beauty Directors Club, a global membership community for salon, clinic, and spa owners, offering business resources and multi-expert advice. Susan also created the online "Salon Success Freedom" program to help beauty businesses thrive.

Susan founded and has grown her clinic of 36 years in Co. Durham into the largest independent beauty salon in Northeast England. She is the creator of the trademarked STABLE business formula and author of "The Little Book of Client Retention" and the world's No. 1 bestsellers "Bea And the Best" 1 and 2.

She serves on the Professional Board for BABTAC, helping to represent and raise industry standards, and on the advisory board for the prestigious PHAB Service Stars.

Susan's expertise continues to shape and elevate the beauty industry worldwide.