Beyond The Technique Podcast

Are your stylists and service providers building their careers through real-world experiences—or just watching everyone else's on social media? In this episode, Kati challenges salon owners, leaders, hairstylists, and beauty professionals to get out from behind the screen, seek meaningful education, build powerful industry relationships, and place themselves in environments that fuel long-term growth. Discover why proximity to great people, inspiring salons, and transformational experiences will always outperform chasing trends and algorithms. If you're ready to reignite your passion, elevate your career, and create opportunities that social media alone can never provide, this episode is your invitation to get up, get out, and grow.
 
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BTT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetechnique
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiwhitledge/
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Join the PBA: https://www.probeauty.org/

Discover how salon owner and mentor Ashley Vance is leading a movement to heal the beauty industry by addressing burnout, mindset, and the leadership challenges that keep salons from thriving. In this inspiring conversation, Ashley shares her journey from receptionist to multi-location salon owner, why integrity and direct communication are essential for healthy teams, and how salon leaders can create environments where people grow instead of simply surviving. If you're committed to building a stronger culture, developing emotionally resilient professionals, and helping shape a healthier future for our industry, this episode is one you won't want to miss.
 
WATCH ON YOUTUBE:  https://youtu.be/UXtWW2eaauc 
 
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashlee.n.vance/ 
 
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BTT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetechnique
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiwhitledge/
Get my favorite bio-hacking products: CLICK HERE
 
SPONSORS
Join the PBA: https://www.probeauty.org/

Today, your host Kati Whitledge encourages salon and spa owners to leap into the deep end, reminding leaders that building a dream business requires huge faith to face unpredictable unknowns. Drawing from a raw personal story of a failed collaboration and a lawsuit early in her career, Kati reveals how to navigate toxic professional relationships and double down on your determination to succeed. She breaks down why owners must stop overcomplicating operations and instead shift their core focus to nurturing client relationships and inspiring staff to buy into them as a leader. Tune in to learn how to humbly lean on your community during challenging seasons, take daily action, and leverage high-pressure moments to unlock your next level of success.
 
 
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/tJSihQWs91U
 
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From First Date to Forever; How to Market Like A Matchmaker: https://joinmya.com/from-first-date-to-forever-book
 
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BTT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetechnique
MYA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/join_mya/
 
FOLLOW KATI WHITLEDGE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiwhitledge/
Get my favorite bio-hacking products: CLICK HERE
 
SPONSORS
Join the PBA: https://www.probeauty.org/

For salon, spa, and beauty industry educators, great facilitation is about more than sharing information—it's about creating experiences that people remember and apply. In this episode, Kati sits down with industry educator and Redken facilitator Mandy McCullough to explore the four pillars of dynamic teaching: visual engagement, auditory engagement, physical engagement, and self-discovery. Whether you're leading team meetings, onboarding new hires, teaching classes, or presenting on stage, you'll learn practical strategies to transform passive learning into active experiences that improve retention, increase participation, and elevate your impact as a leader and educator.
 
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/6b1YnV_dw_s
 
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Facilitation Masterclass: https://www.redkenpro.com/education/event-listing/679149-in-person 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancyfinish/ 
Hiring Experienced Stylists Podcast | Episode 534: https://joinmya.com/podcast/534-hiring-experienced-stylists 
 
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BTT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetechnique
MYA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/join_mya/ 
 
FOLLOW KATI WHITLEDGE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiwhitledge/
Get my favorite bio-hacking products: CLICK HERE
 
SPONSORS
GlossGenius | Manage your business with ease. Use code BEYOND to save 50% on your first 2 months of Gold and Platinum plans: glossgenius.com/beyondthetechnique
Join the PBA: https://www.probeauty.org/

This episode is deeply personal. Kati Whitledge shares the unfiltered story behind her decision to retire from salon ownership after building, growing, rebuilding, and ultimately selling her award-winning salons. From navigating team walkouts, COVID, leadership challenges, and overwhelming stress to creating a successful succession plan and finding the right next owner, this episode is packed with hard-earned leadership lessons, practical insights, and hope for every salon owner wondering what comes next. Whether you're building your dream salon, facing a difficult season, or thinking about your own exit strategy someday, this is a conversation that will remind you that your greatest setbacks can become the foundation for your greatest legacy.
 
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Connect with Mary Beth Berns: marybeth@salonspaconnection.com
 
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/X3itopK3Yt8
 
GET MY BOOK!
From First Date to Forever; How to Market Like A Matchmaker: https://joinmya.com/from-first-date-to-forever-book
 
POWERED BY:
JOIN mya! joinmya.com
 
LET'S CONNECT!
BTT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetechnique
MYA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/join_mya/
 
FOLLOW KATI WHITLEDGE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiwhitledge/
Get my favorite bio-hacking products: CLICK HERE
 
SPONSORS
Join the PBA: https://www.probeauty.org/