Confidence and Self-Compassion with Emily Stevens

Building Meadow Aesthetics: From Salon Suite to Med Spa with Mackenzie Gorman

How do you go from a tiny salon suite to owning your dream space? I sat down with Mackenzie Gorman, owner of Meadow Aesthetics, to find out — and let me tell you, her journey from ER nurse to med spa owner is nothing short of inspiring. Mackenzie started her aesthetics journey almost by accident, after getting her own first Botox treatment sparked a whole new career path. She built her business from a single salon suite at Utopia into a full brick-and-mortar med spa, all while raising three kids, working part-time jobs, and figuring out the business side as she went. We talk about starting small, building the right team, creating a culture of trust with clients, and the lessons she learned the hard way during her build-out. Highlights * Mackenzie's path from ER nurse to nurse practitioner to med spa owner * Why she chose to start small in a salon suite rather than leasing a big space right away * The moment she decided to leave her part-time urology job to go all-in on aesthetics * How she built her team, including interviewing over 40 candidates to find the right fit * Her approach to client honesty — telling people when they don't need a treatment * The Kansas-inspired branding behind the Meadow name * Lessons learned navigating a full build-out with no business background * Her advice for anyone starting a business today: start small and stay true to your vision Chapters 0:00 – From Tenant to Triumph 1:14 – Meet Meadow Aesthetics 2:42 – Nursing to Injectables 4:59 – Starting Small at Utopia 7:07 – Going Full Time Leap 8:51 – Finding the Perfect Space 10:11 – Branding the Meadow Vibe 10:58 – Hiring and Team Growth 18:24 – Culture and Client Trust 22:01 – Build Out Lessons Learned 26:51 – Delegating to Scale 29:09 – Advice and Wrap Up Resources Mentioned * Meadow Aesthetics website [http://www.meadowaesthetics.com/] * Meadow Med Spa on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/meadowmedspa/] (@MeadowMedSpa) * Meadow Med Spa and Aesthetics on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/p/Meadow-Med-Spa-Aesthetics-100087020967161/] * Call or text: 316-302-4744 To learn more about Utopia Modern Salon Suites, visit our website at https://utopiamodernsalon.com/ [https://utopiamodernsalon.com/] or follow us on Instagram [http://instagram.com/utopiamodernsalon/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/utopiamodernsalonsuites] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/utopiamodernsalonsuites/]! If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe and share with a friend!

Building Successful Beauty Businesses with Coach Lee Gray

Are you running a beauty business — or just doing hair? If you've ever introduced yourself by what you do instead of what you own, this conversation is for you. I sat down with my business coach, Lee Gray of ActionCOACH Business Coaching, inside one of our Utopia Modern Salon Suites locations, and we got into the real talk that every independent beauty professional needs to hear. From raising your prices (yes, really) to automating your follow-up and stepping fully into your identity as a CEO — this one is packed with actionable advice you can put to work this week. Highlights * Why beauty professionals are business owners — even if they don't see themselves that way yet * The mindset shift from "I do hair" to "I own a salon business" and why the words you use actually matter * How to raise your prices incrementally so clients barely notice — and why you should be doing it every six months * The power of adding value without adding cost: hot towels, snacks, on-time service, and the products already in your hands * Why recommending retail isn't "selling" — it's service, and it directly increases your average sale * How to stand out in a commodity market by communicating your training, your products, and your process * The simple follow-up strategy that keeps your books full without spending a dime * Using social media to showcase the experience — not just the result * How to automate client retention using birthday acknowledgments, pre-booked appointments, and scheduling software * Basic money habits every solopreneur needs: pay yourself first, set aside your taxes, and keep an operating account Chapters 0:00 — You Are A Business Owner 1:08 — Meet Coach Lee Gray 2:00 — Lee's Coaching Journey 4:20 — Who Coaching Fits Best 6:06 — Utopia Pros and Paths 6:58 — Lessons From a Success Story 8:37 — Nonnegotiables For Growth 11:07 — Maximize Income Fast 12:25 — Add Value and Sell Products 16:02 — Stand Out In a Commodity Market 18:15 — Follow Up Wins Clients 18:31 — Social Media Client Stories 19:39 — Automate Retention Systems 22:51 — Mindset of Ownership 26:07 — Look Like the CEO 27:20 — Keep Learning Business Skills 28:26 — Simple Money Habits 31:02 — Podcast, Book & Coaching Info Resources * ActionCOACH Business Coaching [https://leegray.actioncoach.com/] — Lee Gray's business coaching firm * The Second Act Business Owner podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/second-act-business-owner/id1867464956], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2sWmol35x4pIGnwezeWvmX] and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjLj12iuEPqyioBrGS-Vg3A] * Lee Gray (direct): 316-640-2193 To learn more about Utopia Modern Salon Suites, visit our website at https://utopiamodernsalon.com/ [https://utopiamodernsalon.com/] or follow us on Instagram [http://instagram.com/utopiamodernsalon/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/utopiamodernsalonsuites] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/utopiamodernsalonsuites/]! If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe and share with a friend!

Beauty Beyond the Chair | Schrene Davis' Educational Adventure

What does it take to build something you never planned for? Schrene Davis didn't set out to own three cosmetology schools — she was just trying to find a way out of a small town in Western Kansas. From a cheerleading scholarship and a cosmetology license she almost let expire, to becoming one of the early franchisees of Paul Mitchell Schools when there were fewer than five in existence, her journey is a masterclass in staying open to where life leads you. We talk about what it was really like building a school from the ground up, why the Springfield, Missouri model didn't translate to Wichita the way she expected, and how the industry — and the students walking through her doors — have fundamentally changed. We also get honest about the challenge of staying relevant as you get older in an industry that moves fast, and what it means to lead a school full of 18-year-olds who have a very different relationship with work than we did. HIGHLIGHTS * Schrene describes her path as "accidental leadership" — no long-term vision, just a series of open doors she walked through * Growing up in Holcomb, Kansas (graduating class of 39), she had no roadmap for college — until a boyfriend's football career took her to Missouri State * She worked at a chain salon and booth rent while finishing her general education, and credits older mentors in those salons for her early growth * Before Instagram, building clientele meant beating the streets and handing out business cards — and there's something to be said for that * She became a Paul Mitchell sales rep and discovered the school concept at a national gathering — and was immediately convinced it was what the industry needed * With only ~5 schools open at the time, she partnered with friends, secured a family investor, and opened in Springfield in 2005 * Springfield became their most successful school — profitable from day one — but replicating that success in Wichita proved much harder * The perception challenge in Wichita: Eric Fisher had already set a high bar, so the Paul Mitchell school wasn't the surprise it had been in Springfield * The shift in how families view cosmetology school: student loan debt has changed everything — now parents are more likely to celebrate a one-year skilled trade path * "If you want it, it's there" — she's direct with prospective students that success requires cultivating relationships, not waiting for clients to appear * Gen Z students have reshaped how she thinks about fun, flexibility, and what motivates people to show up * Student-run teams (student council, "Be Nice or Else" community team) give students a voice and keep them invested * The aesthetics program is in year two and finding its groove after a messy year one of "discoveries" * The emotional rollercoaster of being a service provider — riding the waves of a client's best and worst days — is something not everyone is built for, and she prepares students for that CHAPTERS 0:43 — Meet Schrene Davis 1:00 — Small Town Beginnings 2:12 — Choosing Cosmetology 3:10 — Early Lessons in School 4:03 — College and Moving 5:15 — Salon Life and Mentors 7:02 — Before Instagram Hustle 9:13 — From Stylist to Rep 10:46 — Discovering Paul Mitchell Schools 14:21 — Launching the First School 17:16 — Springfield Success Model 18:59 — Wichita Market Reality 21:13 — Cosmetology Culture Shift 22:34 — What It Takes to Succeed 24:00 — Fast Track Licensing 25:00 — Career Paths Beyond Cutting 26:30 — Spotting Student Potential 28:06 — Old School Cosmo Rules 29:26 — Teaching Color Confidence 31:04 — Staying Relevant Over Time 31:50 — Gen Z Work Life Shift 33:45 — Student-Led School Culture 37:11 — Launching Aesthetics Program 40:50 — Rollercoaster Behind the Chair 42:18 — How to Apply and Connect 43:22 — Final Thanks and Wrap RESOURCES MENTIONED * Paul Mitchell The School Wichita [https://paulmitchell.edu/wichita] — paulimitchelltheschoolwichita.edu (find them on Instagram and TikTok @paulmitchelltheschoolwichita) * FAFSA [https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa] — Federal financial aid application mentioned as a resource many prospective students are unaware of To learn more about Utopia Modern Salon Suites, visit our website at https://utopiamodernsalon.com/ [https://utopiamodernsalon.com/] or follow us on Instagram [http://instagram.com/utopiamodernsalon/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/utopiamodernsalonsuites] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/utopiamodernsalonsuites/]! If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe and share with a friend!

Confidence and Self-Compassion with Emily Stevens

What if the thing standing between you and the business — or life — you want isn't skill, experience, or money... but the way you talk to yourself? Confidence coach Emily Stevens joins me to unpack why so many talented women hold themselves back, how to stop "shoulding" all over yourself, and the small daily shifts that build real, lasting confidence from the inside out. HIGHLIGHTS • Stop "shoulding" yourself — it sets up expectations that aren't even yours • Confidence comes from self-trust, and self-trust is built through small daily actions • "Outsourcing your confidence" to loved ones is one of the biggest confidence killers • Self-compassion is the #1 indicator of self-esteem — science backs it up • One bad appointment doesn't equal a wrong career — that's catastrophic thinking • Confidence on camera is a skill, not a talent — you get better by doing it • When women build themselves up, they stop competing and start collaborating CHAPTERS 0:00 Meet Emily Stevens 1:10 Confidence for New Owners 1:59 Women and Confidence Myths 3:02 Stop Shoulding Yourself 4:31 Building Self Trust Fast 6:12 Action Creates Confidence 7:54 Support Systems and Doubts 9:43 Outsourcing Your Confidence 11:24 Self Compassion Practice 13:06 Confidence vs Self Esteem 14:32 Money Mindset and Success 18:24 Values and Core Compass 19:18 Confidence Earlier in Life 22:52 Daily Confidence Habits 23:53 Stop Catastrophic Thinking 24:36 Reframe With Self Compassion 26:09 Three For Me Framework 27:59 Collaboration Over Competition 31:15 You Are The Genius 34:43 Confidence On Camera 39:57 Closing And Contact Info RESOURCES • Laid Back Achievers — Emily's website with all courses, socials, and contact info: https://www.laidbackachievers.com [https://www.laidbackachievers.com/] To learn more about Utopia Modern Salon Suites, visit our website at https://utopiamodernsalon.com/ [https://utopiamodernsalon.com/] or follow us on Instagram [http://instagram.com/utopiamodernsalon/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/utopiamodernsalonsuites] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/utopiamodernsalonsuites/]! If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe and share with a friend!

Unlocking the Power of Branding and Marketing with Ashlyn and Avery

What if great branding could actually do the selling for you — before a single client ever walks through your door? That's exactly what branding photographer Ashlyn Dettwiler (Ashlyn Faith Branding) and marketing strategist Avery Hittle (Set Theory Marketing) are doing for beauty professionals and small business owners in Wichita. These two high school friends turned business partners have built a one-stop shop that pairs high-end brand photography with strategic social media marketing — so you never have to wonder what to do with your photos again. We talk about why your social media presence is your first impression, what brands like Apple and Rodan + Fields do that you should be doing too, and why growing too fast (or charging too much too soon) can actually hurt you. Plus: the raw truth about the early years when the numbers just weren't adding up. Highlights * Your Instagram page is your first impression — and if it's empty, unclear, or full of stock photos, you're losing clients before they ever meet you * Great branding isn't just a logo: it's the world you invite your customers to be a part of (the Apple example is one you won't forget) * Photography and marketing strategy working together creates seamless, consistent content — no more photos sitting unused on a hard drive * The importance of niching down and being findable when someone searches for exactly what you offer * Analytics aren't just numbers — they show you what's working, what isn't, and how to prove ROI on your marketing investment * The average consumer has to see something seven times before they purchase — and strategy is what makes those seven impressions happen * Why branding also attracts the right clients — and gives you permission to say no to the wrong ones * Paying your dues: the honest truth about starting low and trusting the process * Marketing as an investment, not an expense — and how to prove it with real ROI data Chapters 0:00 — Introduction: Branding & Marketing 0:57 — Ashlyn's Origin Story: From Senior Photos to Branding 2:16 — Avery's Journey: Nursing School to MBA to Marketing 3:33 — How They Teamed Up 4:04 — The Light Bulb Moment: Clients Weren't Using Their Photos 5:30 — Creating the One-Stop Shop Package 7:27 — Matching Visual Style to Your Brand 8:58 — Brand Worlds and the Apple Example 10:24 — Why Beauty Pros Should Invest in Branding 14:52 — Using Photos Beyond Instagram: Decor, Billboards, Pamphlets 17:44 — Consistency Builds Trust and Business Growth 20:10 — Patience, Pricing, and Paying Your Dues 23:17 — Branding for Beauty Professionals Specifically 24:41 — Standing Out on Social Media in a Saturated Market 27:02 — Niche Down and Get Found in Search 28:31 — Why Analytics Matter (and Most People Ignore Them) 31:41 — Ads, Repetition, and the Psychology of Buyer Behavior 33:23 — Showing Clients Their ROI and Growth 35:06 — Marketing as an Investment, Not an Expense 37:11 — Credibility, Education, and Why It Matters Who You Hire 39:43 — Their Collab Content Packages: 4-Month, 8-Month, and Year Options 41:58 — The New Done-For-You Full Social Media Management Option 44:28 — Partner Perks: Spray Tans, Hair, Makeup & More 46:20 — Wrap Up & How to Connect Resources & Mentions * Ashlyn Faith Branding — Instagram: @ashlynfaithbranding [https://www.instagram.com/ashlynfaithbranding] | Website: https://ashlynfaithphotography.com/ [https://ashlynfaithphotography.com/] * Set Theory Marketing — Instagram: @settheorymarketing [https://www.instagram.com/settheorymarketing] | Website: settheorymarketing.com [http://settheorymarketing.com] * Meadow Med Spa (Mackenzie) — mentioned as a standout example of consistent, growth-focused branding: https://www.meadowaesthetics.com/ [https://www.meadowaesthetics.com/] * Brows by B / Brow Battalion — referenced as an excellent example of recognizable, well-invested branding: https://shopbrowsbyb.com/ [https://shopbrowsbyb.com/] * Brit Siva — beauty industry business coach: https://www.brittseva.com/ [https://www.brittseva.com/] To learn more about Utopia Modern Salon Suites, visit our website at https://utopiamodernsalon.com/ [https://utopiamodernsalon.com/] or follow us on Instagram [http://instagram.com/utopiamodernsalon/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/utopiamodernsalonsuites] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/utopiamodernsalonsuites/]! If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe and share with a friend!