PhorestFM: Building a Stronger Industry, Together

Calvin Stovall, customer experience and leadership keynote speaker, joins the show live from the Salon Owners Summit 2026, shortly after his main-stage talk on the art of the 'WOW' experience.

In this conversation, Calvin shares the story behind his own “why,” how his book Hidden Hospitality: Untold Stories of Black Hotel, Motel, and Resort Owners from the Pioneer Days to the Civil Rights Era came to be, and connects lessons from historic Black hoteliers to practical customer experience and leadership principles. Plus, on-the-floor reactions from salon, spa and clinic owners attending the event, and a look ahead to the Phorest Summit 2027.

Connect with Calvin Stovall on Instagram @iconicspeaker

Learn more about the Phorest Summit & secure your tickets for 2027: https://www.phorestsummit.com/

Enjoyed the episode? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!

Click here to subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter or here to learn more about Phorest Salon Software.

This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments.

For the past nine seasons, the PhorestFM podcast has been steadily putting down roots. Growing slowly, but steadily, like the trees in the Phorest forest. And every episode’s been its own brand of fertiliser, carrying insight, knowledge, lessons, new ideas, and stories. Many, many of those.

From small seeds, the show has grown enough to change the landscape.

Our intent going into this tenth season is to bring you the energy of the rooms we create and/or find ourselves in this year, and make it a season bound by conversations that bring us forward.

Whether you’re joining us from the salon floor, the treatment room, the clinic, or an industry event, the car park between clients, or the commute home before or after a long day, we’re here to amplify community voices all around the globe. We’re here when you need a spark of inspiration or an extra dose of courage to branch out. When you need a new perspective or someone to listen. Really listen.

Because more than software, we’re on a mission, together with our community, to build a stronger industry. One we’ll always fight to see soar.

The year is 2026, the local time is now, and what’s next… is up to us. If this feels like your kind of journey—bring a friend with you. Season 10 starts on Monday, February 23rd, 2026, with a Live From the Phorest Summit 2026 bonus episode.

Subscribe to the Phorest FM email newsletter to be in the know of our casting calls & more fun stuff, and follow both Phorest Salon Software (@phorestsalonsoftware) & Alex Bélisle-Springer (@a.belspring) on Instagram for video clips and BTS content!

This trailer was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Great music makes great moments. Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed.

When Phorest salons shared, in early 2025, that "growth" was their number one priority this year, we got busy. On Season 9 of the PhorestFM podcast, we brought you insightful interviews, case studies, episodes with special guest co-hosts, and bonus live content! Sourced directly from the community, this season finale is a feel-good festive send-off. Thanks for tuning in, and thanks for another incredible year — slán go fóill (bye for now)!

This episode was made possible thanks to the contributions of:

Jackie Gonzalez @hairbyjackie_g @maggiethesalon

David Campbell @davhoc @thesalonedge @houseofcolour

Christine Cunningham-Smith @blissbeautyfife

Emma Jarvis @emmajarvis.thbacademy @thehairbase

Lori Fudens @whitesandhairsalon @lorifudens_redkenartist

Shirley Popham @pophamsalons

Naomi Cartwright @thefarmhousesanctuary_ @nlc_x

Leslie Perry @leslieperry_pba

Greg Clarke @greg_clarke @amicaecohairdressing

Stay tuned for Season 10, coming to you soon after the Salon Owners Summit 2026!

Learn more about the Salon Owners Summit: https://www.salonownersummit.com/

Enjoyed the episode? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!

Click here to subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter or here to learn more about Phorest Salon Software.

This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments.

[325] In 2024, Qnity’s research arm, the Qnity Institute, conducted a study. At the heart of it was one core question: ‘What does a financially successful salon look like?’

In this episode, Tom Kuhn, CEO of Qnity—an organisation offering education and tools for economic empowerment in the beauty industry—shares findings and insights from the subsequent 50-page report, published in June 2025. The ‘2024 Salon P&L Benchmark Study’ set out to paint a clearer picture of the industry, establish reliable benchmarks, and deliver actionable insights that could help improve profitability, and this conversation aims to do the same, equipping salon owners with prompts for reflection or conversation starters about the financial health of their own business going into 2026.

Find out more about Qnity, and the Qnity Institute.

To participate in the 2025 version of the study, click here.

Follow Tom Kuhn on Instagram: @tomhkuhn

Learn more about the Salon Owners Summit: https://www.salonownersummit.com/

Enjoyed the episode? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!

Click here to subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter or here to learn more about Phorest Salon Software.

This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments.

In this episode, keynote speaker, business coach, and educator Lance Courtney explores what salon leadership looks like in an era shaped by Gen Z, shifting values, and rapid cultural change. Drawing on themes from his Salon Owners Summit 2026 workshop and blending real-world salon examples with coaching insight, he takes an educational “what works, what doesn’t work, and what works better” approach to challenging leadership styles.

If you're navigating generational shifts within your team or seeking guidance on how to evolve your leadership style without compromising your authentic self, this conversation offers a modern perspective on leadership and provides valuable self-reflective prompts to prepare for the new year.

Connect with Lance Courtney on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lancecourtney

Learn more about the Salon Owners Summit & explore the full lineup and agenda: https://www.salonownersummit.com/tickets

Enjoyed the episode? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!

Click here to subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter or here to learn more about Phorest Salon Software.

This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments.