323 Leadership, Legacy & the Future of Juut with Coco Wagner
In this week’s episode, I sit down with someone who’s grown up alongside one of the most respected salon organisations in the United States.Today's guest is Coco Wagner, daughter of David and Charlie Wagner owners of the Juut Salon Spa’s. Coco brings a fascinating blend of global experience, fresh perspective, and deep respect for the culture her family has built over 40 years. What I love about this conversation is how open and thoughtful she is about stepping into a leadership role in a family business, especially one with 450 team members and multiple locations across the country.We dive into everything from evolving an established brand to navigating the changing needs of today’s workforce, to earning the trust of long-standing team members when you’re “the owner’s daughter.” Coco also shares why structure matters more than ever for Gen Z stylists, and how Juut has managed to keep more than half their team earning six-figure incomes while working fewer hours post-COVID.It’s a generous, insightful conversation about leadership, culture, and the future of salons, and I think you’ll take a lot from it whether you’re a salon owner, a leader in your business, or simply someone wondering how the next generation is shaping our industry.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:24] The Juut story and global context[01:30] David Wagner, Horst, and the early Aveda connection[07:01] Growing up in the salons and earning trust[11:18] Digital transformation: SEO, website, and social[15:18] Maintaining culture across locations[17:26] Leading without being a hairdresser[20:28] Team buy-in when changing culture[21:32] What Gen Z wants from salons today[23:01] Hours, flexibility, and six-figure incomes[24:52] Suite life vs. salon life — and the boomerang stylists[34:28] Family dynamics in a family business[36:52] Where to connect with Coco and JuutWant MORE to help you GROW?📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/RATINGS + REVIEWS🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.👉 Here's what you do:- On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first)- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏Until next time!Antony 👉 FOLLOW US!Instagram | Facebook | Website👉 FOLLOW COCO WAGNER!Instagram | Website
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322 The Beautiful Chaos of Building a Team
I've been thinking a lot about what really makes a great salon, and it's not always what you might think. Sure, brilliant technical skills matter, but what really sets exceptional salons apart is the energy, the culture, and the people.A coaching client told me recently about the atmosphere in her salon, no drama, no bitchiness, just fun, laughter, and genuine support. Her clients connect with that positive energy the minute they walk through the door. It got me reflecting on something I talk about in my new marketing course, that we need reminding, and that is, “We're in the people business”. But with all the focus on algorithms, followers, and SEO, we sometimes forget that the best marketing is creating an incredible experience that people want to tell their friends about. I also make a comparison between my favourite TV series, The Bear, and why it reminds me of the salons I've worked in and owned. And how there's something special that happens when you bring diverse personalities together with a shared commitment to excellence and to each other.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:52] A coaching client’s story about a vibrant team culture[01:43] The real source of positive salon energy[02:36] Offline vs. online marketing, and what actually matters[03:30] How marketing used to work before the internet[03:47] The benefits of combining offline and online worlds[04:19] Re-centring the industry on human connection[04:47] My favourite TV series: The Bear and why it resonates[06:49] Why team culture is both the best and hardest part of running a salon[09:25] Work families and the power of belonging[10:37] The leader’s role in directing team energy[10:59] Final thoughts: business is peopleWant MORE to help you GROW?📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/RATINGS + REVIEWS🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.👉 Here's what you do:- On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first)- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏Until next time!AntonyRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:The Bear TV Series👉 FOLLOW US!Instagram | Facebook | Website
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321 Courage, Culture, and Conscious Living with Rita Marcon
In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Rita Marcon, whose story perfectly captures the courage it takes to follow your intuition and reinvent yourself. Rita is a former hairdresser who climbed the corporate ladder to become the Australian General Manager for one of the biggest haircare brands before taking a leap of faith to start her own business, I Am Conscious Living.Rita’s journey is full of wisdom about courage, leadership, and self-awareness. We talk about what it takes to leave the comfort of the known, how to stay grounded when everything’s changing, and the difference between leading others and truly leading yourself. Her approach to conscious living and human leadership is something every salon owner can learn from.Whether you’re leading a team, running a salon solo, or just looking to find more meaning and calm in the chaos, this conversation will leave you inspired to breathe, be brave, and lead with heart.IN THIS EPISODE:[01:00] Meet Rita Marcon, from salon floor to global leadership[04:50] Finding the courage to change direction[07:30] Lessons learned from 28 years in corporate life[10:10] Knowing your value and self-worth as a leader[13:00] The role of culture and communication in leadership[17:00] Applying corporate lessons to small business and solo ownership[23:00] Practical ways to bring conscious living into daily salon life[33:00] Preventing burnout and finding balance[36:20] When to follow your gut vs. data in decision making[42:50] A powerful story of resilience and self-leadership[46:45] One conscious habit for every salon owner[48:30] How to connect with Rita and learn more about I Am Conscious LivingWant MORE to help you GROW?📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/RATINGS + REVIEWS🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.👉 Here's what you do:- On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first)- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏Until next time!Antony 👉 FOLLOW US!Instagram | Facebook | Website👉 FOLLOW RITA MARCON!Instagram | Website
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320 The Culture-Building Potential of a Staff Christmas Party
As the end of the year approaches, it's tempting to push for maximum productivity, rush through holiday celebrations, and then collapse in a heap on Christmas Eve and call it done.But I want to challenge that. In this week’s episode, I’m talking about the power of celebration, why your team party isn’t just a party, but a culture-building strategy disguised as fun.I share stories from my own salons, where what started as a Christmas party evolved into something far more meaningful, a night of reflection, recognition, and connection. You’ll hear why celebrating your people is one of the smartest leadership moves you can make, and how simple, intentional gestures can anchor your team culture for the year ahead.So before you dive into 2026 planning, hit pause, listen in, and get inspired to make this year’s celebration something your team will never forget and set your salon up for the year ahead.IN THIS EPISODE:[01:07] Why the end of the year matters for reflection and gratitude[02:00] The evolution of my salon’s Christmas parties[03:13] Turning parties into powerful culture-building moments[04:42] The importance of team culture and belonging[06:13] Creating in-house awards and recognising achievement[07:52] Praise, purpose, and progress, what people crave at work[08:25] Building culture through moments, not KPIs[10:18] A framework for planning your end-of-year celebration[11:17] Creative salon award ideas to strengthen connectionWant MORE to help you GROW?📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/RATINGS + REVIEWS🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.👉 Here's what you do:- On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first)- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏Until next time!Antony 👉 FOLLOW US!Instagram | Facebook | Website
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319 No One’s Coming to Save You. The Power of Self-Ownership with Blake Dufault
In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Blake Dufault, whose story is as raw as it is inspiring. From a turbulent childhood filled with chaos and heartbreak to finding purpose through hairdressing, Blake’s journey is one of relentless growth and unshakable resilience. His book I Am_____ captures that journey beautifully, reminding us that our past doesn’t define us, our choices do.We talk about how hairdressing quite literally saved him, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and his powerful belief that no one is coming to save you; you have to choose growth for yourself. Blake also opens up about how his personal story evolved into a mission to make the industry better, leading him to create AIVA, an AI-driven salon management system built to give stylists their time back.This conversation is a reminder that success isn’t about shortcuts or luck; it’s about doing the work you’re avoiding, learning from failure, and never giving up on what’s possible.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Welcome and introduction to guest Blake Dufault[02:00] Why Blake wrote his book I Am Blank[06:30] Blake’s tough start in life and the lessons it taught him[09:45] How hairdressing became the turning point that saved him[12:30] Doing the work you’re avoiding – the real key to growth[14:00] The power of taking ownership: “No one’s coming to save you”[23:00] The writing process – ten years of reflection and refinement[26:30] From student to salon owner – building culture and systems[28:45] What successful salons are doing right today[31:00] How AI will reshape the future of salon business[34:00] Introducing AVA – the AI-driven virtual assistant for salons[41:00] Building technology that serves stylists, not the other way around[42:30] Why Blake walked away from social media (and how it worked)[44:30] Where to find Blake’s book and AIVA onlineWant MORE to help you GROW?📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/RATINGS + REVIEWS🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.👉 Here's what you do:- On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first)- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏Until next time!AntonyRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:I AM - Book by Blake DufaultAIVA - runwithaiva.com 👉 FOLLOW US!Instagram | Facebook | Website👉 FOLLOW BLAKE DUFAULT!Facebook
I know that being in business isn’t always easy. Along with the many highs and ‘a ha’ moments it can sometimes be soul destroying, frustrating and a very lonely place to be. Being a business owner is one of life’s greatest educations and it gives you two clear choices, either you continually learn, adapt and grow, or you resist change, stagnate and perish. We live in ever changing and sometimes challenging times, so being informed and constantly inspired is more important than ever.
Join Antony Whitaker talking to thought leaders on the business side of the hairdressing industry discussing insightful, provocative and inspiring ideas that matter. Get ready to learn, get ready to be challenged, get ready to be inspired and most importantly get ready to grow your salon business!
Ireland