Beauty Business School

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This episode of the Beauty Business School podcast is a real, unfiltered look at what it actually takes to build a successful beauty business.
I sit down with Carmen McNamara, founder of Skin Fairy and Little Sunshine Spa, who shares her journey from waxing in her bedroom at 15 to running multiple thriving businesses. But more importantly.. she pulls back the curtain on what most people don’t talk about.
We dive into:
 Why business is never a straight line (and why that’s normal) 
 The reality of building, growing, and sometimes struggling in business 
 Leadership, team culture, and what it really means to run an A team 
 The importance of client care over quick wins 
 Money, mistakes, and why so many salons go under 
 Showing up online authentically (even when it’s uncomfortable) 
 And the mindset shifts you need to actually make this work long term 
This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s the truth behind the scenes hard moments, big lessons, and what it really takes to stay in the game.
If you’ve ever thought “this feels harder than it should”… this episode will remind you that you’re not alone and you’re probably a lot closer than you think.
Are you looking to level up your salon in 2026? Every beauty business owner needs Beauty Business Foundation, this is the KEY areas you need to have a successful beauty business. Want to learn more? 
 https://beautybusinessschool.com.au/beauty-business-foundations/

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After THAT post went viral… we need to talk.
In this episode, Kimberley opens up about the real story behind a post that shook the beauty industry and what it revealed about bullying and projection in business.
From being sent private messages and conversations to navigating the emotional aftermath, this is an unfiltered look at what actually happens behind the scenes in the beauty industry and how to handle it without losing yourself in the process.
This isn’t about calling people out. It’s about calling the industry forward.
Inside this episode, we dive into:
 The reality of bullying in the beauty industry (and why it’s so common) 
 What to do when you find out people are talking about you 
 How to separate projection vs. truth
 The emotional regulation tools every business owner needs 
 How to set boundaries without adding fuel to the fire
 Leading with integrity.. even when it would be easier not to 
If you’ve ever felt judged, talked about, or misunderstood in your business… this episode will hit home.
Because this isn’t just about one post.
It’s about changing the way we show up in the industry, together.
Are you looking to level up your salon in 2026? Every beauty business owner needs Beauty Business Foundation, this is the KEY areas you need to have a successful beauty business. Want to learn more? 
 https://beautybusinessschool.com.au/beauty-business-foundations/

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I need to say something that might annoy you a little bit…
You don’t actually hate selling. You just hate how it feels when you do it.
When it’s awkward… when it feels forced… when you can literally feel yourself cringing mid sentence because it sounds like you’re trying to push something onto your client… so you avoid it.
You don’t bring it up, you don’t lean into retail conversations in your salon, you just hope your clients will ask. And when they don’t, it turns into “my clients just don’t buy retail” or “no one can afford to buy retail products.”
But that’s not actually what’s happening.
What’s happening is no one has shown you how to sell retail in a salon in a way that feels natural. In a way that actually feels like you. In a way that builds trust with your clients instead of feeling like you’re pushing products or trying to increase sales in a forced way.
Because when it clicks, retail sales don’t feel like selling at all. It feels like you’re just talking. Like you’re recommending products as a beauty professional. Like you’re genuinely helping your clients get better results between appointments.
And that’s when clients start buying retail. That’s when your salon retail sales increase. That’s when your revenue grows without needing more clients or more appointments.
In this episode, I properly break down:
💋 Why your salon retail sales aren’t increasing
💋 What’s actually missing in your retail strategy
💋 How to sell retail products without being pushy or salesy
💋 The simple shifts that will help you increase retail sales in your beauty business
If you’re a beauty therapist, lash artist, brow artist or salon owner who wants to increase retail sales, boost salon revenue and feel more confident recommending products to your clients… this is the episode you need to listen to.
If you’ve ever thought “I hate selling” or “I don’t want to feel salesy,” I think this is going to completely change the way you see retail in your beauty business.
Are you looking to level up your salon in 2026? Every beauty business owner needs Beauty Business Foundation, this is the KEY areas you need to have a successful beauty business. Want to learn more? 
 https://beautybusinessschool.com.au/beauty-business-foundations/

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In this episode, I sit down with Emma, a registered nurse of 14+ years who completely changed her life in 2021 when she discovered the power of cosmetic medicine and skin - first as a client, then as a practitioner. What started as a $1,000 bank balance and a dream turned into a thriving solo clinic in Redcliffe, a $75,000+ revenue increase in just 12 months, and signing her very first commercial lease.

But it wasn't always this way.

Before joining Beauty Business School, Emma was juggling two jobs six days a week, second-guessing herself constantly, and wondering if she should just go back to nursing for good. The financial pressure was real. The self-doubt was real. And the path forward felt anything but clear.

Then she decided to bet on herself and everything changed.

In this episode we talk about:

→ Why Emma left a high-level nursing career to start over in beauty (and why she has zero regrets)
→ The reality of marketing an injectable business in today's regulatory landscape in Queensland
→ How she grew revenue by over $75k in 12 months while raising four kids
→ Leaving her nursing role entirely and going all in on her business
→ The identity shift that happens when you level up and why it's supposed to feel hard
→ What's next: a brand new commercial shopfront and her first overseas trip (hello, Bali retreat!)

This one is emotional, honest, and full of real talk about what it actually takes to build a beauty business from scratch. Grab your fave drink and get ready to feel all the feels and get seriously inspired.

Find Emma: https://www.instagram.com/bae_aesthetic_studio/
Are you looking to level up your salon in 2026? Every beauty business owner needs Beauty Business Foundation, this is the KEY areas you need to have a successful beauty business. Want to learn more? 
 https://beautybusinessschool.com.au/beauty-business-foundations/

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The Moment Every Beauty Business Owner Dreads… A Client Complaint
That sinking feeling when your phone lights up with a message from an unhappy client.
Your heart races.. Your brain spirals... And suddenly you're questioning your entire business.
Sound familiar?
In this episode of Beauty Business School, Kimberley Haworth breaks down exactly how to handle complaints like a true CEO without spiralling, people-pleasing or burning your business to the ground.
Because here’s the truth…
One complaint won’t destroy your business but how you respond absolutely can.
Inside this episode, Kimberley walks you through the exact framework she teaches beauty professionals to handle complaints with confidence, emotional intelligence, and strong boundaries.
You’ll learn:
✨ Why complaints aren’t always a bad thing for your business
 ✨ The biggest mistake salon owners make when replying to unhappy clients
 ✨ How to regulate your emotions before responding
 ✨ The difference between emotional complaints vs factual issues
 ✨ When to stand your ground (and when to take responsibility)
 ✨ The exact structure for a calm, professional response that protects your reputation
If the thought of a negative review or unhappy client makes you want to hide under a blanket… this episode is for you.
Because when you know how to handle complaints properly, you stop reacting like a stressed therapist…
…and start responding like the CEO of a serious beauty business.
This might just change how you handle complaints forever.
Are you looking to level up your salon in 2026? Every beauty business owner needs Beauty Business Foundation, this is the KEY areas you need to have a successful beauty business. Want to learn more? 
 https://beautybusinessschool.com.au/beauty-business-foundations/