How a Salon Manager can Benefit Your Business - with Teegan from LaSorella

  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 favour, hit subscribe, and we would be so grateful.

 .

Okay, welcome back episode two Samara. Exciting times, look at us. We've got two! That's so good. Um, a really exciting day today as we are joined by our first guest. How do you feel about being our first guest? Very nervous at the moment. So, Tegan is one of our esteemed colleagues and uh, dearest friends.

And she is also the Salon Manager at La Sorella Samara Salon on the Gold Coast. Welcome Teagan. Thanks guys. It was interesting when we were trying to work out guests for this season and it was just a clear yes to have one of my, it sounds weird when I say staff members cause Teagan's one of also my closest friends, um, but it just made so much sense for us to have a friend Um, that works for me.

That has come through a lot of my journey like Jen, but her role has changed so much over the years. So much. She's left many a times, many a time and come back many a times and more times than me, PS. Actually more times than Jen. Yeah. She has three times and is it three? Is it three? Wow. But I do come back and I feel like every time it gets.

Better. It does. Absolutely. Gotta work for it. So I also think it's really like this, uh, podcast we called raw and unfiltered because we can have hard conversations. So it's kind of cool to get to get on here and for us to go through things that have happened and like how we've gotten to this point and what it's like to be a staff member at Lazarella.

I'll give you 50 bucks once you leave. And why you always come back and anything like that. So Jen's going to lead this conversation because. Well, I think the really important place to start is that Teagan was obviously a hairdresser. Teagan, how did you first meet Samara? So I met Samara, it would have been what feels like forever ago, but it probably was, I would have been, I just finished school and was, uh, I had done part of a school based apprenticeship and then I was obviously looking for that full time role and applied for Stefan's and at Robina town center before it was like the all undercover.

It was when it was like half outdoors. So it's a bit of a throwback, um, and applied for, yeah, the Stefan's at Robina. And then Samara was the manager there. So I was, Um, short haired at that time, which those photos could be burnt, but Samara still has them on Facebook and occasionally they show back on the memory.

The old memories on Facebook. She's like, if you ever show anyone this, I quit on the spot. Um, and then, yeah, from there you kind of ended up leaving. So we didn't actually work together all that long. And um, we worked together long enough for me to show you a men's cut. So probably three weeks. Three weeks.

I think I was there for like yeah a week and then they're like okay well you're pretty much ready to be on the floor so we'll just show you how to cut hair. Tegan was like that apprentice, that just gets it. Like she just knew what she was doing. I was when I She was like you. Uh, thanks. I don't see that about myself, but thanks, but like I gave her a pair of scissors and she just cut and it was just like, Oh God, I hated training apprentices.

I'm not good at it. I love my apprentices now, but I'm not good at training them. So I am very aware of that and I think that is a strength of mine to know that I'm not good at that and to outsource that shit to other people so that they can be better. I'm very good at training the things I love, but not from the beginning.

But Tegan just had this innate ability just to like pick up a pair of scissors and cut hair. Thank you. So I loved her from the very beginning, but then I left. I still think it's funny. So when Tegan's journey progressed through her career and then she applied for a position, we had actually advertised a position for the salon.

Didn't we? Yes. Because you contacted and said I'm not sure if you remember me. See, I told you, Jen remembers everything. So it's funny, the actual reason I applied was I had moved back from Melbourne the first time and was looking for a job. I was actually working at a small salon in Burley and it just was, she had only just taken over.

It just wasn't quite enough hours. And I was like, I feel like I need a little bit more. I've got one of that drive. Um, and a client. Who's a friend of mine I've known since I was eight years old. It was a client of Glastonbury. Oh, yes. Who is that? Kristen. I did not. Oh, that is true. I thought it was Kristen.

So she's like, Oh, I've been going to the salon obviously. Cause I was coming up from Melbourne and cutting her hair still every time. But I was like, I don't think I'm going to get up enough to color your hair and whatnot, happy to cut it for you when I come up. And then she was like, I'm gonna have to start going somewhere else.

And she did. And then when I moved up, she was like, I think you should, I feel like you should apply for this place. You'd really like it. Look it up. And that's when I saw that Samara was the owner. And I was like, I wonder if she'll remember me. So I reached out and was like, do you remember me? And you were like, of course, like come in and have a chat today.

And then I was like, super nervous, super sweaty as I am right now. And went in and we had a chat and a little table, little table that had different colored chairs. And I think at that time you had. On the table with the different colored chairs. I remember that time I had chairs that were from a movie set.

Yes! I'm just kidding, you guys are on such a ride. Like, I look forward to sharing all this shit. How ugly that salon was over the years. Hey, it was cool. It was cool. It was on trend. I would have had those chairs. 4, 000, those chairs. I know. I don't think it was 1, 000. I think I got ripped off. But, you know.

Cute. Now. They're cute. Cute. They pretty much rotted, but cute. And then it was just, uh, you, Kira and Demi at that time, was it? Yeah. And I think, I think someone else had just, maybe someone, no, ti ti had just started. Oh, was she Ti was there. Yeah, ti was, yeah, ti was there. So it was just like, yeah, A tiny little pod.

Yeah, little pod. And then, yeah, you gave me the job and then I started, I was pregnant. You had just, you were like, I haven't announced it, but I'm pregnant. Yeah. Okay. I was pregnant with Sadie. Forgettable face guys. I was there too. Not on the day. Not on the day that I came in for a chat. She meant on the day.

Calm down, Jen. Jen in that forgettable face. Jen was working there, but she wasn't there on the day. You were part time then. Yeah. Yes. Yeah. So that's kind of where it all eventuated from. And you came on as a hairdresser at that point? Came on as a senior, I was obviously not really looking for that kind of role, it wasn't really in my We didn't really know what that role looked like at that point.

I wasn't even thinking of it. Yeah, I only ever knew that I was like a full, like senior hairdresser. Like I wasn't even looking. But then I think as the time went on, it just kind of started to be a thing that I was always doing. Just looking around and going, is that going to run on time? I don't think that's going to work out.

They've been sitting there for a while and just kind of always scanning the room. Always. So the first time you left us was to go overseas? Yes. Uh, just always chasing that dream, you know, just to be that traveler. Always wanting to book a plane ticket. Uh, and we decided to Yeah, save up all our money. And I said to Samara, I would love to have a chat with you.

I think I made the mistake of texting her on a Sunday. Oh no. Okay, so everyone's going to actually get a look into what I am like as a boss. Yes. And that's anxious as fuck. Yeah. So Tegan, what did you do? I said to Samara, Hey, is it okay when you're in salon this week? If we could have a chat, what are the worst words you can say to Samara?

Can we have a chat? So basically Samara got in her car and drove to your house at that very minute. Samara made me go to the Zaraffas immediately. Lauren was like. What are you doing? I was like, I have to go. Zaraffas is the only thing that's open right now. And it needs to be now. Sunday night, we met at Zaraffas.

And Samara was like, just tell it to me straight. What is it? And I was like, it's just that. I've intuitively known every time, just so you know. Just so you know, Samara has intuitively known every time, but it was also very scary for me because obviously I really liked where I was working. There was nothing that I wanted to, there was no reason why I wanted to leave the salon.

It was just sad. Yeah. To have this adventure and life's short, you know, so, um, yeah, we went traveling for six months. And then on the car. Planned on it for a year, but you know, money runs out. These things just happen. And there was a plane ride home. I don't think you'd even told anyone you were coming home yet.

You were like, can I put your back? I think I was like, we're coming back. And I was like, if you need someone, I'm, I'm here. Probably freedom, Paul, if you'll have me back. And I think that's when I came back still as a senior. Yes. And then, yeah, I think, I don't even know when that started to happen. I don't think it was until after Melbourne.

No. So yeah. So then I, I came back and I don't think anything changed. And then that's when Lauren got a really good job offer in Melbourne. So Lauren is Tegan's wife. Yes. And she is pretty much the honorary, hononary, hononary, can you please say that word, honorary. Member of Lazarella. She's IT support.

She's our super fan. Number one super fan. If I need to get anything, the first like. Lauren Boyce, Lauren, shout out to you. She is also going to be probably the only one that listens to this podcast, but she'll listen to it so much that we're going to go viral. We're going to blow this shit up. Also one of my favorite people in the world.

So as a couple, these two are ice. Sorry, Lauren got a job in Melbourne at that point. Yes. And I was obviously we had moved back from Melbourne once before. So I was a little bit, um, I was a little bit hesitant to move back. Um, obviously because I was loving where I was working for the second time. Um, so I just was like, why don't you go down for the six months?

Thanks. And then we'll see how things go. And, um, yeah, six months kind of passed. And I was like, look, it's, no one wants to do long distance. At that point I could see it coming. Yeah. Yeah. It was really hard. I think when we'd done six months of travel together and you know, it was, it was really hard to sort of be apart.

Oh, absolutely. Like, yeah, that separation was a real struggle for both of you. You could definitely see it taxing you. And we're not really, it feels like I never, I always think of myself as quite an independent person. And as everyone knows in the salon, I'm not super affectionate either. Not a real hugger, but, um, we call her Wednesday.

Yeah. Wednesday Adams, all in black. You're welcome. But I think it was. Um, that was really hard to do. Like she's my person, so it's really hard to be away from her. Um, so. And she left, the bitch left again. The time. Um, and that's when. And she went to work. So funny enough, she said, I don't know where to work.

Yes. But I want to step into that role. And I want to step into a role of coming off the floor. So originally you thought maybe rep. Yep. Rep. Or, you know, like managing a reception or something. Yeah. And I said to her, if you're going to work anywhere. I think you should work at this salon. At that point, it was again, funny.

We mentioned our last episode, my friend, she wasn't even my friend. Then I just knew her through the grapevine and loved her Shantel from Tleish I remember messaging her and saying like, if you need this type of position, I think, or you had told me, I think I'd seen it or you told me and said like this salon, I told you about Shantel and you said, actually that someone's looking for this position.

Yes. And I messaged, tell and said. take her. You are so silly not to take her. She's the best. And then you moved to Melbourne. You started working for Terrell. Yeah. And at that time they had a little salon in Port Melbourne and it, the, when I looked on their Instagram, it was very much similar fields of what was La Sorella, the OG.

The OG. The OG. Hanging plants that, you know, were from the salon roof. And it was just like a little bit more industrial. It was really quirky, really cute. Um, and on a in a great area. So yeah, I was really, really hoping to work, um, for them. And I ended up working for them. But then it was just, yeah, like Melbourne for me just wasn't the same that second time round.

Um, my dad I felt like every time you and I spoke it was I just, I was, yeah, I was told she just missed home. Yeah, and I, my dad at that time, or maybe it was even before that, but I think he was starting to get a bit more progressive with his Parkinson's and I just really wanted to be close to them. It was just feeling really hard to be away from them.

back in October. And it was: 2019

I came back earlier than Lauren. Yep. So I decided to, I'd been trying to suss you out to see if you wanted to come home. And then I was like, I'm just going to post it. And I posted that I was looking for a salon. I posted that I was looking for a salon coordinator. Yes. So in my mind, it was like reception and all of that stuff.

And then I got an instant message saying like, so like if, Oh no, Lauren saw it. Super fan. Lauren had seen the post. She's got immediately. Um, and she was like, if you don't apply for this, you'd be stupid not to like you. And then you totally sent the message. She was like, again, so like, if you remember me, do you remember, like, if I happened to apply for this, like, would you consider me?

And I was like, it's fucking your job, mate. Like if you want it, it's yours. I pretty much posted it. Yeah. Trained her for me. I'm taking her home. But, um, I pretty much posted that hoping she would say that. I didn't want anyone else for the role. As she said, the, especially that second time you came back, you did your own clients, but she very much oversaw all the clients.

Like she couldn't handle it if the salon wasn't running how it should run. And she was very like meticulous at those types of things. So I knew this role was, was for her. So even more so the role has changed quite a lot, but we'll speak onto that in a second. So yeah, you came home and, Moved into the reception side of La Sirela.

Yeah. Initially it was reception. Yeah. Pretty much reception only. And I think there was still a few of us and that was still at the old salon. Yes. And that's where it started. Um, and obviously it was really hard to navigate that cause it was new to us as La Sirela and new to me. Um, in that, cause every time I'd been there, then your clients know who you are and they want, they're like, Oh, you're not doing it.

And you're like kind of wanting for that, but like, you know, and it's really hard to separate yourself from it sometimes. Yeah. So, then we got our new salon. Yes. We got our new salon about a year after you got home, I think. Yeah, because We started, I think that's when we, COVID hit at the old salon and that's when we were trying to do the social distance, like you had to have four squared meters and yeah.

So that night, that fucking devil night where we worked till midnight. And that was Lauren's birthday. She's like, happy birthday. I was like, I'm sorry, I'm on the phone, on the computers till like 11pm at night. Oh yeah, I remember texting you that day and being like, Babe, we've got tomorrow and that's it, let's fucking text everyone you possibly can.

Yes, so um, and that was just like a whole new thing for us, which is where obviously, you know, we brought in the Saturday trading for like half of us and then we had to open more. It was just a, it was a time. It was a time. But then yeah, that's when you kind of had, we'd been looking for a while for a new salon, trying to work out the right space and, What it was meant to look like and who would have known it was so hard to find a place because like then it was Like if it was previously a salon, it couldn't be a salon and like, you know all that sort of stuff So and then she was like, you know just around the corner from us.

Yeah. Yeah So then we did the new salon and then your role tell us about your role and how it's evolved now. Yeah I still feel like it's ever changing. We still don't know what it is. Here we go. But you really started kind of jumping on the floor and became more of like a floor manager. Yeah, floor manager.

I think I just always wanted to be able to dabble in, like, it's really hard to be a hairdresser and then completely step back. I think you always want to try and get your hands in there a little bit. I don't think you could also do this role if you weren't passionate about it. Oh, I totally agree. So I think if anyone is looking for a salon manager.

I don't think they can't be a hairdresser. I think they have to be a hairdresser if we're talking in hair. Or if you're talking about a beauty salon, I still think you should have a beauty therapist or someone that does brows. I think it's very important for me if something happens and I'm not there, Teagan can fix it.

She's brilliant. I think there's a difference too between the kind of role that Teagan has and like a front desk manager. Oh, agreed. Do you know what I mean? Agreed. And that's a very clear definition. And that's why being a hairdresser is so important for. What she does. Yeah. I just, I, yeah, I very much think that whatever position that is, I think you should find somebody in that does that because if anyone's sick, I know Teagan can jump in.

If anything's happened, she can fix it. I know that her ability is so strong that it's not necessarily, I have to go in and fix it. Teagan can handle it. She knows what she's doing. So I think it's also great support. For the girls, like they know, or if you have other staff members, like for them, like in general, because it's, um, It's not that we doubt ourselves.

It's just that you kind of want that reassurance and I'm that reassuring and that's what I am for them. Like they know exactly what they're doing, but it's also expanding their mind to be like, Could I have done it a different way? Like seeing it with different eyes. Sometimes I think, especially with consults, you sort of, You just get lost in it a little bit and you're like, I don't even know how I'm going to do this.

And then it's, you just kind of, it's a deep dive that you just, and then you forget what you're talking about. It's also really nice to know that you've got that person who's got your back. Like when you're in your consultation process and you know, like talking about results to know that no, it wasn't just me.

It's not just me in this person. Like there is someone else who wholeheartedly. Yeah. had my back. And I think I can step back from it because I'm not actually the one doing the hair. So it comes from a place where it's like, I'm always going to back the girls up for whatever they say so that they know that I have their back.

But it's just so that the client has that, I don't know, for some reason the clients trust when there's like two people there. The double consult is something that we've always been very big on and it just works. Yeah. And I think it's just sometimes like, I think if you're a hairdresser and you talk to someone, they're kind of like, You're saying you can't do it.

It's not so much because of the hair health, they just think you're not capable of it. But then if you have someone else going, look, really, I don't think this is right for you at the moment. They're like, Oh, okay. Yeah. I get what you're saying. Yeah. It's just like out for me. Yeah. You are genuinely caring about me.

Yeah. Yeah. Agreed. So it just kind of fell into that. Teagues took this role on like three years ago. Yeah. Three years ago, and obviously it's been ever evolving. In that time, I've also had another baby. Yes. And our little squishy guy. Yes. And I really, yeah, he's ginormous. I really pulled back a lot more in this pregnancy.

I was quite sick. We did a lot of travel. Um, yeah. Uh, and you know, we had heaps happen in that year, our Tiggy and Laurie got married finally. Oh my God. They got, they had a wedding postponed three times because of COVID. Yeah, we finally went ahead on the fourth, but if anyone asks me now, like, do you think I should do a wedding?

I'm like, absolutely not. Like, don't do it. Don't do it through COVID anyway. Yeah. Um, that was very stressful, but yes, there was, I feel like last year there was, even the year before there was a lot of. A lot going on for everyone. A lot. A lot. I think everyone had that. So even though we didn't have, as a salon, we were still able to trade and we were open for most of the time, which was really lucky because I think we had like one lockdown and I was like, I think I walked the whole time.

Like I just went walking every single day. And then Tegan was like, please let me get to fuck back to work. I've walked 17 kilometers. Like half my muscles are on fire. Morning and afternoon. Because we like, like, um, We like to be busy. Yeah. That's what we like to do. So yeah, but I think going through it, everyone had their things, everyone had, but it was all like, we all supported each other.

And that's what I think for me makes me always want to come back to La Sirele. Cause it's like that family environment. Like we all have each other's back. Always. Yeah. So yeah, it's been good. Uh, so explain to me your role now. And then I want Jen to ask some questions because I feel like it's important for people to know what your role is now and how it benefits the salon financially and how everything's set up.

I, for context, only work one day a week, but I'm forever there for your support. Yeah. You and I talk a lot, but how, where does your role sit? It's really great for anyone that's going on that leave. Um, obviously for me, this was the first baby that I felt properly set up to walk away. The other two I was not.

And this baby, we had lots of conversations. We knew what it looked like. Teagan was so desperate to give me my maternity leave that I wanted. And we really made sure that was set up and the business still thrived through that time. So I obviously know I'm in it, but I'd love for you to tell people like, what does your role feel like now?

And financially, how does it benefit the business? Cause you know, those things. And also. you know, speaking into that side if someone wanted to hire someone like your position. Yeah. So initially, um, I think as it started as a reception, it felt some days where I was like, I'm not worth it. Like, because you feel like I could be making money on the floor type of thing.

But then I think as time went on and I started assisting the girls or like, you know, with a full head of foils, if you've got someone like me who can actually hairdress, which is why I think it easy. It's like you said, so important for someone to be a hairdresser, you can really maximize that. And then it helps also with the conversations and that trust because you've got two people, you've just always got that person there that can really kind of encourage the girls to do better.

So yeah, making sure there's no gaps in the whole service in that sense. And Tegan's like very thorough at looking after the girls, like the girls come first and also very thorough at looking after clients. So she's like all over it at all times, watching the salon, knowing who's sitting there, knowing who's come in, making sure that the clients feel comfortable, reading the room, seeing where everyone's at, reading the room with the staff.

Yeah. And I think it's important, like obviously when without the clients, we don't have, you know, A business, but without the staff, we also don't have a business. So I always like, I mean, we all kind of were in that. Hairdressing phase where it was like, apprentices last you get treated like shit. Do this, do as I say, not as you know, like, and it, and I just vowed to never be that person.

I will always treat people with respect. And if they treat me with respect, it's sort of like a, it's just this mutual thing, but none of the girls. ever disrespect me. If I ask them politely, it's always done. It's always a yes. It's never this conflict kind of thing. And there's no hierarchy in our salon.

Absolutely not. I, you know, I hate it when people call me, Oh, I'll just get the manager. I'm like, I'm just a colleague. I'm a friend. I'm an equal. Oh, she's the boss. I'm like, okay, I'm standing over here doing hair as well. Calm down. Yeah. I think though, because The word manager always meant that you were gonna be in trouble.

Like, I don't know. Yeah. You just get this thing where it's the Karen connotation. Yeah. Poor Karen. Like anyone named Karen. Poor Karen. But it's just one of those things where I'm like, I love, that's where a mind goes. Like, I just feel really bad. It feels really bad for the Karens out there, . Uh, it's so, if anyone's a Karen Teagan's, your girl,

I'm, yeah, I'm with you. I'm sorry. . Um, but yeah, I just wanna make sure, like even for our apprentices, it's not. It's not, it's not their job to be the ones to clean everything. It's always like, we're all in this together. Like if you have a free moment, like help everyone out. Cause at the end of the day, we're all going to get, we're all going to get to finish at the same time.

It's not. Yeah. That's kind of where I like to come from. But I think too, that relates to both of your, like, if we speak about the culture that's been developed and what it's like working with Samara and with yourself, you know, that culture comes from the top. the culture comes and is spread and because you're both so innately like that and care about other people that's why that the salon has the culture that it does.

Yeah and I think both of us are quite intuitive in that sense that. You don't want, like, that's that stereotype of hairdressers where it's like, Oh, they all just bitch about everyone and blah, blah, blah. Like, it's horrible. Like we don't, we're not like that. So I, we always make sure that if we're like, I'm like, Oh, I don't know if something's going on there.

We just try to get it straight away before it becomes this massive thing that really, it was actually nothing to worry about in the first place. It was like. Someone's boyfriend didn't arrive. And 7 o'clock. Yeah, that too. But like if someone's, you know, partner's not speaking up or whatnot, we're like, let's talk about it.

Like it just, it, it can. That old fashioned leave the shit at the door, like that's someone's life. Yeah. That's not always the easiest thing to do. It's really hard. So we're more like, if you need support, come in, take us aside for 10 minutes. Talk it out. Feel better. Let us know. Let's move. We'll give you a cuddle.

Move forward. Like we actually know our staff's love language. Yeah. Like we know how. Mine is not physical touch. Teagan's is not physical touch. If you see her on the street, don't hug her. Um, but we actually know our staff's love languages and it's something we'll speak into eventually, but it really helps us to know what our staff needs.

So if something's happening and someone's feeling low and we know that they need a hug, that's fine. Tegan sucks it up and she gives him a hug. I do give hugs. And it means the world. But it's genuine. It's a genuine like hug. It's a genuine hug. Or if someone is quality time. I thought you were going to say, but it's Jen.

It's Jen who needs hugs. Like it usually is. I know Tegan's is quality time. So I generally make sure at least once a week or once if I'm not in there. That when I'm there, we go out for a coffee because it fills her cup, as it does mine, actually. Tegan knows mine's words of affirmation, so she makes sure to tell me I'm doing a good job.

And it's hard. I think you want to know that you're doing a good job because I think, especially you being the salon owner, like it's that thing where it's at the top, like, yeah, who's telling me that I'm doing a good job? Yeah. So I think sometimes that's always hard, which is why I try to do it for Samara, because You don't get it from someone else.

Like, it's kind of like a tiered thing. We praise the apprentices because they do such a good job, but like, who's praising? Hey man, I praise you. They do praise me, probably too much now, but I love it. Jen, what do you think is a good question for Tegan? Well, I think we've spoken to Tegan now about some of the aspects of her role, but speaking more about the culture and the, you know, supporting the babies as they grow up. Babies being apprentices, not physical babies, because that's She also does that though.

Yes, she does. While the dads come in quite often. There's a lot of baby girls. There's a lot of babies. To maintain a culture like that, obviously, there are times when you have to navigate more challenging situations. Talk to me about, and Samara obviously, about what you do when you, a challenge arises that you need to address.

Like how do those conversations go with staff? Yeah. So I always do try to do it on my own, um, without having to get Samara involved, but obviously there's some times where it's like, Let's hash this out first before I kind of go into this. Cause we can be also being a role that's been developed. Right. So Tegan, it's not, it's instantly, Tegan's not coming into this role and going, I'm going to do it.

I'm going to manage, manage everyone. It's been like a, it's like bouncing off someone progressive time to get you to where you are now with managing, like in the beginning it was. It was me and that was much more you and I and now it is you and it's only Tegan generally only comes to me if there's something that she needs to hash out and I think that's important because it's like teaching your team to really self lead their team and for me I want to self lead Tegan so that she feels really empowered within her position.

I don't want to micromanage her and then it's Tegan, you know, leading our staff and self leading them to decisions as well so it's not just, you know, It's not just from the top telling everybody what to do. It's everybody feeling like they come together as a team to create this incredible salon. It's not one person making everybody.

It's not, you know, it's like that chiefs and Indians. Yeah. Oh, we don't have either. Like we have a community that gets in and does it, you know, if someone's sick, I'm quite happy to get on the floor and work full time. And Tegan tells me what a good job I did. Yeah. But I think it's, uh, just. Try and have, uh, like I'll try to do either weekly or fortnightly one on one chats with each individual staff member just to see how things are going, check in if there's anything they need to talk about.

It's better if they can talk to me about it. We can try and work out how to approach it, whether it's like if there's just a little situation which can sometimes feel petty, but the more you think about it, the bigger it becomes. Yeah. And it's like. Well, do you want to just talk to me about it? Shall we get everyone involved?

Like, how should we do this? And then half of the time they're like, I just feel better for having a chat. Like, thanks for getting it off my chest. And then we can go on. And it's like that air that's there, that kind of just becomes a little bit ick, like you just clear that out. And that's what Tegan was talking about with, we don't, if we feel it, we get on top of it then.

So even though we have set, one on one meetings and it's about once a fortnight isn't it? Yeah I think it's once a fortnight to once every three weeks. But it's like a check in like it's like a five or ten minutes not like a sit down and do all of this. But it just means that if we check in all the time we know it's good but if she takes the time to sit down they all feel heard.

Yeah. And they can as she said get things off their chest and then they feel appreciated and seen. I think it's also like Obviously when you talk to someone about, it's like you go home and you have your partner to talk to or your parents or whatever, but sometimes they just don't understand, like, they're like, I don't get it.

You're like, how can you not get it? Like, it's one of those things where sometimes you just need to talk to someone who's like, I get it. I understand what you, yeah. They're in it. They know. Hence why we started the fucking podcast. Yeah. We're so that someone owners. heard in this stuff because it's the same thing we just and like, nobody understands but us.

And not everybody has a Teagan. Like not all owners have a Teagan that are aware that perhaps there isn't when that, that person's the owner and they're at the top. There isn't that person that's telling them that they're doing a great job. Yeah. I feel like also it's someone to have in the middle. Like, cause I think sometimes it's like you have sell an owner.

Who's like, can feel like they're like, I need this of you guys, but it just feels like this. There's always that like, well, they're the ones that know all this stuff. And like, it's that person that helps the salon owner in that sense. Be that middle, you're like the cool mom. Like, yeah. Teagan's completely got my back and then completely got theirs.

Yeah. So it's really nice for me. And that trust point is really important. Like I trust Teagan explicitly with my salon and with what I say that she understands and. That I think is really important as well. Or sometimes trying to get a point across. Like I think, if you're trying to make a point, and we're like, why don't we approach it like this and vice versa.

Sometimes I'll go to you and I'm like, I just want to say this, and you're like, why don't you try approaching it like this? I'm like, that probably sounds like, a bit better than where I was going, like. It might be better received. I might try it that way, that sounds good. Like, so it's, it's kind of vice versa.

Yeah. It's someone to bounce off and just be like, am I being crazy? Am I being fucking crazy? I'm just, no, I'm not asking for much and I'm like, burn it, burn it to the ground. Okay. Let's not, uh, let me deal with it. Just like, why don't you have a breath? And Tegan will do that. Sometimes like both of us will be spiraling about something and I'll be like, and Tegan will text me and say, okay, you've done all you can let it go.

And I literally let it go. Yeah. And I do the same. Okay. You've done all you can. We could easily overthink things. I think in life in general. I could write a book on overthinking. But I think people need to remember to wear a salon of 11 stylists. You know, if you look at that from the spiritual picture, we're all fucking mirroring shit for stuff for each other all the time.

Because you're spending so much time with these, you spend more time with the people that you're working with than you do with the people in your family a lot of the time. So if you've got stuff you need to work on, of course they're going to be the people that are bringing that up for you, right?

Agreed. And it's, yeah, a lot of different personalities, and it's, yeah, trying to work through how we can all mesh together. It's always going to be a work in progress. There's someone who's going to have a higher week of energy and a lower week on others, so. Yeah. It's just trying to navigate. Embracing the differences.

Yeah. Because if you try to turn it into carbon copies, that's when it all just agreed. But it's also, I think that's why like you're able to step out a little bit more, but have someone that is kind of overseeing it all making sure that, you know, it's like that 8 p. m. time where like everyone goes a bit crazy.

It's like trying to reign it all in ever do you like the sugar hit happens and everyone's like goes nuts. Yeah. It's like they've lost it. Like guys. And that's not, that's me when I'm there. I go just as kooky. Yeah. I'm like Samara. Inside voice. When I'm there now, I'm just a hairdresser. It's the best. Yeah.

And I'm fucking crazy. But I can also make good money. Yeah. And I get to choose when I do that now. Which is super cool. And I think it's also like you get to go in and do your job and not feel like it's a Like you have to be there all the time which is like and then you're thinking about all the other side of it, too Yeah, sometimes it's like harder and I think that's well, you know when you do hire for this position It's really important to know that someone will understand how much goes on behind the scenes.

Yes. Like sometimes I feel like back in the day, I used to have to reiterate all the time. I'm doing all of this. I'm doing all of this. Cause when I wasn't there justifying why I wasn't there, but I can't be there because as any salon owner knows, there's so much to do behind the scenes. Whereas Tegan's like, I understand why you're not here, man.

Like there is like, I don't want your job for the reason I don't want to own a salon for the reason why. I know what you do, so it's really nice to feel that, as an owner, to have someone that understands, I know what you do, I know when you're not here you're still working, I know that you are the reason why this place ticks over, and I'm here to support you and make sure it does all the time.

Yeah, I think it's, it would be hard to give my kind of role to someone who is on the floor full time. Like I think, As much as sometimes I'm like, Oh, I could be on the floor. Like there's days where you have time for that, but then there's others where you're like, I absolutely can't. Like I need to, there's stuff that I still even do behind the scenes and whatnot.

Those jobs that don't get done that you've wanted done for ages. And the, like, make sure that there's that team building. If you're not moving forward, you're moving backwards. Yes. So if you're not just slightly moving forward, you are already going behind and people these days expect so much. Much from hairdressers, from brow artists, from beauty.

It's like, let me come in on a bed of roses with men fanning me while I drink a cocktail and I get fed canapes. And if you don't give me all that, this is all on shit. Like it's hard. Like you have to keep. upping the ante. And it's, you know, we've realized that it's all that consistency point at the moment of like really making sure that we hone in on all those things.

But it's a lot with, if it was just you on your own and you're just doing this, you can make sure that all those things happen for all those clients. But when you've got 10 clients, it's a big ball game. And highs and lows and you know, different energy. I think when I was on the floor doing hair, I'm quite a person.

And like, I think There's people that'll come for the hair and the personalities and the silliness and the quiet, like it depends, everyone's coming for different reasons. So, and we have all those personalities in La Salle. Yeah. And that's, I mean, most salons would, but it's one of those things where you're trying to work out and navigate how everyone, clients and staff are getting what they want and getting what they want.

Yeah. True. Yeah. It's hard. Teague. Yeah. Jenna and I have this conversation before. And for me, our culture is just normal. And I've said to Jen, like, it's an interesting topic for me of how the fuck I teach culture. I know. And Jen always laughs because she's like, you know how to teach culture. But for me, it's just, it's embedded in our walls and it's just happened organically.

But she says that it hasn't because there's so much that's gone into creating the culture. It didn't just happen. But I'd love to hear from you, Teagues. If you can think about the things that make La Sirela's culture what they are. Well, for starters, it's like that we make sure it's obviously a safe space for everyone.

It's not that old school, like leave your shit at the door type situation, which is really important. Cause then the girls know that they can come to us and it's like, it's not taken lightly. Like we have everyone's back in that sense. It's that family environment. It's that. We all spend quality time together, it's that our meetings are actually quite fun, like it's, it's one of those things where we just make sure that everything's really supported.

I guess it's probably a good way to put it. Like everyone feels like they have each other's back. Jen, you were a staff member of Los Relos for nine years. Have you got a, a chime in on that? I was, I was, I was a staff member. No, I agree. And I think it's that, um, I think it's the fact that there's a really mature approach to everything that, When we talk about things, you know, we talk about, Oh, it's being squeaky clean.

There's that really mature, kind, connected approach. Like I have seen you, please tell me so how I can help you not just like wondering, assuming, you know, there's actual connection. That's what creates culture. And we generally, because we're like this are obsessed with spending time with each other out of work, but we don't push it either.

No, there's definitely got to be like a balance between like, otherwise it feels like work. Yeah. Or that you see each other all the time, that it becomes like that sibling kind of irritated by each other. Like there's definitely got to be a good balance. It's just that when we do things, it's like quite a nice, like it'd be every three months type of thing, a really nice catch up.

And it's like, it's inspiring. I think too, one of the big things that makes the difference is that staying on top of things and not letting anything fester. Absolutely. And one of the things I've always loved that you say Whenever someone is hired for the salon is that we don't do backroom talk if you have a problem You come and talk to someone about it so that we can help you Yeah, and that's what tegan does, you know, just making sure that those little things don't get nitpicky and It's it's not Let's not let that escalate.

Let's create a situation that helps you get out of this. And don't get me wrong, I am not the epitome of this. We've had that. Oh for sure. We've had that, like we've been in it when we've had that, where the salon feels icky and you don't want to go in the back room because you know shit's being said and I feel judged and undervalued and I'm like cranky all the time and I'm trying to like overcompensate all the time and, and we've had that.

Yeah. And you know, for you, you don't love upsetting anybody. So it's also like, if some, it's hard to have those chats because you're like, what if it's about me? No one wants to do it. And that's why I say to the girls all the time. I'm If it is about me, it's also okay. But really how often do people go, well, yeah, I, I actually do have a little bit of a, a bone to pick with you.

And then you're like, I'm just gonna, I'm just gonna go jump on the highway. I'll be a second. That generally doesn't like I've even said to T like I, I, and I know my client, I know my staff so well, and they know us that generally it is, they know how to have the big thing for us this year is like, it's okay to have hard conversations.

Yeah. Like, It is okay to say like, we're struggling with this and we need to do this when you are so close. If you don't have the hard conversations, it will tumble your business. But I do also think that's where sometimes my role is quite good because the girls might not be able to say it to you. But they can say it to me and we can try and work it around to be in a way that around again Yeah, it is.

It's like I hear them, but I hear you and I can be like well Can you understand why Samara can't do this type of thing? It's really sort of it works both ways in that sense So yeah, so basically we've established that Tegan It's said quite often, everybody needs a different number. Specifically or? My number is, I would like a raise too.

I will take a bonus of, back the fuck off. Um, but it can be developed. Yes, it definitely can. But you have to have someone that I feel like. Definitely supports and you can have hard conversations with as well because otherwise you just have to have this clear line of communication for both of you knowing how they, how you both respond to things too, because I know I can be quite a defensive person and Samara knows that so it's like, if she's like, Hey, Just wanna, you know, and I'm like, what do you mean?

Like, and you're like, oh no, like it's not a bad thing. I'm like, what do you mean? It's knowing how each other takes things. Um, we just need to, she's like, so one time, this one time a staff member said to her as a joke. Oh, you have one job and Tegan's never gone over it. You know who you are. I do see them like three times a week.

It's okay. Georgia. She's still. Oh, we went to names. We are under the bus. She was joking. She's like, you've got one job. And then you remember those things. We had another. Um, one of my other girlfriends, yeah, everyone becomes girlfriends who worked for us. I remember we were talking about managing this. Oh, the micromanaging.

And she's like, I was like, I don't micromanage. And she goes, micromanage? You barely manage. And I was like, Oh, fuck. And she was like, please don't go home and do a worksheet on me. Please don't go burn me to the ground. I love you. And I still bring it up and I promise you I'll bring her in here one day and she'll be like, Oh, that fucking comment.

Of course he brought that up. But we are very sensitive and that's a woman thing. But we do know how to work to what each other needs. So yeah, Tegan. I know that Tegan is defensive. So I know. It's also because it's like defensive because I'm like, I would hate to know that I've upset anyone or done the wrong thing.

Like you always just want to try and please people. So you're like, Oh, okay. I really tried, but I'll do better. Because yeah, we all want to do the right thing by everyone. Clients. It's like when you do a full head of foils and they're like, You're like cool die on the inside. I may as well throw in the foil foam.

I can't do this anymore, but it's not, it's something so small and it's not actually anything to do with you. So we just have to have a breath sometimes. Is salon owners as well. Everyone, everyone, every salon owner out there, take a big deep breath in and release. Yeah, we get it. So. Firstly, thank you for coming on and chatting through this with us.

I hope that was enough information for anyone that is looking for a salon manager. Laserola now actually has a receptionist as well, so that's helped to remove some of the tasks that Teagans were doing that wasn't solely based, sorry, on the floor. Um, and now she's able to have a lot more space to do what she's doing, but these roles, they build with time.

Please don't just jump into these roles and think, I need a manager now. It's expensive and you have to be able to afford her. You're worth it, babe. Thank you. But I need to be able to, you need to be able to afford her too. So we'll close with a little activity. I'm scared. No. So what I would really like for you and Samara to do is we're going to do something called replicate and alleviate.

So I would like you to, so what's my role? Do it. She'll go first so that you get it. So it's a quality in the opposite person that you love and would like to replicate for yourself. And then a quality that you see them struggle with that you would like to alleviate from their lives. Okay. I know. Okay. Uh, quality that I would like to alleviate from Tegan is your self doubt because she's so exceptional that sometimes she doesn't know how exceptional she is.

Hates a compliment. I also want to alleviate the fact that she can't take a compliment, but she is very successful. amazing at what she does and sometimes she doesn't see that in her full potential. And the quality that I would like to replicate for Teagan is the fact that to be loved by Teagan is so ginormous and if you are in her heart In a circle.

In a sanctum. You are fucking lucky because to be loved by you is ginormous. Thank you. I'd also like to replicate Lauren. Do you come as a package? I would like Teagan and Lauren always in my life. But also the, I will never be able to thank Teagan enough for the support and the love that And the friendship that we've built over these years.

It's definitely not, this relationship isn't just salon manager anymore. I am lucky enough that we have learned how to work together. Build a business together, be supported by you and love you. And you only ever wanted to see me as success when I built, when I started Salon Rising, it was just like a fuck yes, go babe.

I'm so proud of you and I've got you. So that's pretty insane considering that, you know, I'm step, I was stepping away from the business more, but Tegan's just like, go full force, do it. I've got you. I support you as did my entire team. So I think that's a really good. mental note for anyone who is wondering whether they've got the right people is if you stepped away from your business and you built something else, are they all proud of you?

Are they cheering for you hard or can you feel resentment? Because my team cheer me really hard as I do for them. Okay, that's a hard act to follow. I would like, I would like to alleviate the fact that you sometimes think you don't do enough. because there's definitely a lot that you do that I think you feel like you need to do more for people to be happy but it's enough.

Like people are very lucky to work where we work and yes. Did anybody bring the tissues? What was the other one? Uh, replicate. So a quality that you love about Samara that you would like to replicate? I would like to replicate your You have a lot of determination. I would like to replicate your determination.

You see something and you want to go for it. And I like that. Isn't that what you said in the last one? Pretty much. Turns like you just decide and you just fucking go in full blow. You do. And I do, I do like that about you. I think it's a very good quality to have. It's one of those things where you can always be the kind of person to talk about it and never really follow through, but you definitely make sure you follow through on it.

Even if it's a crazy idea, like a bump sticker. That is a good idea. It was your idea. It's a great idea. But you will go for it anyway. You just always like, you'll put your mind to it and go for it. Tegan, I would love you to finish us up with a journal question for any salon owner there, out there, that is maybe considering what they need.

What is a journal question that you can ask them? To make them really think into what they need. I think it's asking for someone who's going to be that person to support you, your, your backbone, that someone who will sort of have what your, like your determination and your drive for what you, when you need to step back, like someone who will do what you would do.

So if you're going to have a salon manager. Who is that person? Yeah. Who is that person? And when can you have them? You know, this sounds all amazing and I promise you it is. What can you do in your business that gets you to a salon manager? And what? Yeah, I think it's working out where they, where they need the help, where they need the assistance.

And if that turns out to be that it's a salon manager, cause sometimes it might be a receptionist, like it doesn't necessarily mean it's a salon manager, but for, for each person trying to work out what it is that they need, is it someone to help assist lead the team? Is it someone to help? And that, and being okay that that can evolve.

Yeah. My role is probably still going to evolve in the next six months. So watch this space. Ever evolving. Ever evolving. Who knows. Yeah. Next minute, you're just like mixologists, like. I can do a, I can do a mean cocktail. Yeah. Just so you know, also mixologist. All right. Thanks guys for tuning in. Yes. Thanks again.

We look forward to next week with you or two weeks time. Sorry with you. And again, if you have any questions, please jump over to Salon Rising And let us know. And if this goes on, Has helped let us know and I'm sure Tegan will love to see your faces

Thank you Thanks guys