Advertise on podcast: Rooted + Rising: Through the Beauty Industry

In this episode of Rooted & Rising, we're joined by Melanie of The Happy Hair Company, an independent hairstylist, community builder, and someone who might just change the way you think about the stylist-client relationship, based in Michigan. If you've ever followed along from the outside and thought her brand just feels different, this episode is for you. We cover: How The Happy Hair Company got its name and became an LLC (and why available domain names matter)Why authenticity isn't just a buzzword. It's a daily practice, especially for stylists coming out of branded salon environmentsThe difference between building a clientele and building a community, and why Melanie's hiking group is a masterclass in bothHer seasonal Canva newsletter strategy and why it outperforms generic email blastsSetting clear boundaries with clients while still holding space, without crossing into therapist territoryHow specializing in cuts at a high-end salon shaped her craft, and why she eventually expanded to full-serviceThe exciting mini-documentary dropping in June for The Happy Hair Company's 5-year anniversary, created by her filmmaker husbandMelanie's key takeaway: "I wish I had been more myself from the beginning. As soon as I started showing up authentically, I had those clients for life." Connect with Melanie on Instagram: @melaniedoesmyhair If you loved this episode, share it with a stylist friend who's trying to build their brand, or tag us on Instagram @RootedandRisingBeauty. We'd love to hear what resonated with you.

Here are the updated show notes: Show Notes: Three months ago, Quinn and Josie made major career moves: new salons, new environments, new everything. Now they're back with the update they promised: the real one, not the highlight reel. In this episode, Quinn and Josie get candid about what switching salons actually feels like, the identity crisis, the ego checks, the slow Januaries, and the moments they wondered if they made the right call. Spoiler: they did. But it wasn't always pretty getting there. In this episode: What they each expected vs. what actually happenedHow many clients followed them (and why losing even 10% stings)The confidence dip that hits when you're in a new environmentFiring a client for the first time and surviving itThe honest money talk: pay cuts, slow starts, and finally feeling stableWhy moving salons makes you a better stylist, full stopQuinn's practical tips for making the move smoother for you and your clientsQuinn's practical tips if you're thinking of switching: Shadow the salon first and meet with the ownerCommunicate your move clearly and professionally to clientsMake the transition as easy as possible for them, think parking, pricing, formulas, all of itSet up a way to contact clients outside your current salon (Google Voice is free!)Show up with open arms and acknowledge that following you was an active choice they madeWhether you're mid-move, thinking about it, or just made the leap, this one's for you. Connect with us:📲 Instagram: @rootedandrisingbeauty If this episode resonated, leave us a rating and review, it genuinely helps more than you know. 🖤 Sonnet 4.6

This week on Rooted in Rising, we're sitting down with Kia Rogers: curl specialist, Evo Salon Educator, and the stylist Sacramento's curly-haired community has been buzzing about. Kia keeps it completely real about every chapter of her career: starting at a five-star commission salon with zero clients and a dream, navigating COVID and a newborn, going solo in a suite with seven grand and six clients, and finally landing at Junie Hair Salon where she's found her people. What makes this conversation so special is Kia's honesty about building systems from scratch, being the only Black stylist in the room (again and again), and choosing to bridge the gap in curly hair education rather than gatekeep what she's learned. In this episode we cover: Her journey from commission stylist → suite life → rental chair at Juni Hair SalonStarting her suite with $7K, no retail, and 6 clients and how word-of-mouth (and one Reddit thread) changed everythingWhy she made the switch from Davines to Evo and what led to becoming an Evo EducatorBeing the only Black stylist in the room: in salons, in classes, and at brand certifications, and why she's committed to creating safer spaces in educationThe importance of transparency with clients (even when you're still figuring it out)Her vision for building her own curly hair curriculumWhy she'd rather you ask the "dumb question" than leave her class without what you came forConnect with Kia:InstagramWebsite Connect with Rooted + Rising: Rooted + Rising Josie Aldrich Quinn Mattingly Keywords: curly hair specialist Sacramento, curl education for stylists, Evo educator, natural hair stylist, salon suite vs commission, curly hair cutting techniques, salon educator, bridging the gap in hair education, Rooted in Rising podcast, hairstylist career transitions

We know you saw Alysa Liu's halo tree ring hair at the Winter Olympics and completely lost your mind because so did we. Naturally, we needed to chat with the hairstylist behind the iconic look so we could share it with you! Meet Kelsey Miller: hairstylist, lived-in color specialist, and the woman behind Alyssa Liu's viral Olympic halo look. With 15+ years behind the chair, Kelsey specializes in dimensional color and redheads, but recently went viral for stepping WAY outside the box to create the tree ring halo that had the whole internet talking. Based in St. Louis at CopperMain Collective, she's equal parts talented and down to earth. Oh, and she has a mini labradoodle named Crouton, which tells you everything you need to know. 🐾 We're talking how a random client lunch turned into the Olympic appointment, what was actually going through her head when she realized who was sitting in her chair, and the moment Alyssa won gold and Kelsey's phone basically exploded. We also get into the real stuff: what it feels like when everyone suddenly has an opinion about your careerhow to stay grounded when things move fast, why saying yes (even when it's a little scary) is honestly just the move.Kelsey has been behind the chair for 18 years and she is still so genuinely excited about it which truly was so inspiring to hear about. This episode felt like catching up with a friend who just had the craziest few months of her life and we got to hear everything. Connect with Kelsey: @kelsey.styles.hair Copper Mane Collective Connect with Rooted + Rising: Instagram TikTok Youtube

In this episode, Josie and Quinn sit down with Carly Zanoni, hairstylist, educator, and founder of Blonde Chronicles University, to talk about what it actually looks like to build something from scratch, the messy, unglamorous, figuring-it-out-as-you-go version. Carly breaks down how BCU started as a private Instagram account and a Wix website (her words: "so bad"), why timing and a $10 price point mattered more than she expected, and how she's continued to evolve the platform without losing what makes it feel real. We also get into the stuff that doesn't always make it to the highlight reel. Anxiety behind the chair and online, navigating epilepsy while running a growing business, and why hustle culture almost cost her more than she realized. Plus, Carly shares tangible advice on landing brand deals, growing on social media as a micro influencer, and why charging your worth is not a conversation that ever fully gets easy. If you're somewhere in the messy middle of building something, this one is for you. Topics covered: How BCU started and evolved from private Instagram to KajabiStartup costs, early mistakes, and what she'd do differentlyAnxiety as a stylist and as an online educatorLanding and maintaining brand partnerships (including Schwarzkopf)Why follower count isn't everything when pitching to brandsPricing, raising your rates, and the emotions tied to bothManaging epilepsy and chronic illness while running a businessWhy accessibility and authenticity have been central to her growthFind Carly:Instagram: @the.blonde.chroniclesBlondeChroniclesUniversity.com

In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Nixon, owner of The Sacred Hive in Petaluma, California, author of The Ugly Side of Beauty, and the hand-tied stitch queen herself, for a conversation about beauty, belonging, and what it really means to build a career on your own terms. Rachel opens up about how human design and female bio rhythms completely changed the way she leads her team, works with clients, and protects her own energy behind the chair. She talks about why she asks clients where they are in their cycle before booking a bleach service, how she created a "zen zone" policy for extension appointments, and why she believes the old hustle-til-you-break model of hairdressing is one she refuses to pass down to the next generation. We also get into the business side: how Rachel went from earning over a million dollars as a mentor to pouring it into building the Sacred Hive, her employee pay structure with no income cap, and how she splits her time between Petaluma and New Orleans, where, as she puts it, her soul lives. This episode is for every stylist who has ever felt like the black sheep, wondered if there's a better way, or just needed permission to stop trying to fit a mold that was never made for them. In this episode: What human design is and how it transformed Rachel's leadership styleUsing female bio rhythms to serve clients and manage a team with more careThe zen zone: why Rachel goes silent during extension installs (and how to have that conversation with your clients)The real reason hair extensions are a confidence transformation, not just a serviceBuilding The Sacred Hive: the money, the mindset, and the five-year visionWhy Rachel splits her time between California and New Orleans — and how you can design your career around more than one placeWhat she'd tell baby stylist Rachel if she could go backConnect with Rachel: Instagram: @rachelnixonstitchqueenThe Sacred HiveThe Ugly Side of BeautyEverything Hand Tied

This one is for the clients. In today’s episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the salon experience and sharing everything we wish clients knew before, during, and after their appointment. From clean vs. dirty hair… to arriving on time (but not too early 👀)… to what actually happens in a consultation… to how to tell your stylist you don’t love your hair . We’re breaking it all down with honesty, humor, and zero judgment. Because great hair isn’t magic.It’s a partnership. And when both sides understand the unspoken rules, the experience gets so much better for everyone. In This Episode, We Talk About: Should your hair be clean or dirty before your appointment? Why AI inspiration photos can set unrealistic expectations What “hair history” actually means (and why it matters more than you think) The surprising impact of purple shampoo, color-depositing products, and GLP-1 medications on your hair Why showing up 30 minutes early can stress your stylist out What to do if you’re in a time crunch or on a budget How to say “I don’t feel like talking today” (without hurting your stylist’s feelings) The right way to handle it if you don’t love your hair Reviews vs. texting your stylist first Tipping etiquette in modern salon business models What makes a dream client (we’re speaking it into existence 💅)Love This Episode?If this helped you, here’s how you can support the podcast: Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify Share this episode with a friend Tag us in your post-appointment selfie Check out our Licensed Yapper merch (use code ROOTED for 10% off) Follow us on Instagram:@rootedandrisingbeauty

On this special field episode of Rooted + Rising, Josie and Quinn head inside the Paul Mitchell cosmetology program to capture what beauty school really feels like. You’ll meet Natalie, an instructor who has guided countless new stylists through their first shaky haircuts, breakthroughs, and everything in between (including one of your favorite hosts, Quinn!). She shares what today’s students are navigating, how confidence is built behind the chair, and what she wishes the industry understood about the next generation. Then, we talk to the students themselves. In honest, unscripted mini-interviews, they open up about the moment it clicked, the challenges that nearly broke them, the people who made a difference, and how cosmetology school is shaping who they’re becoming. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to train as a stylist or you simply love stories about growth, courage, and finding your path, this episode will pull you in. Rooted + Rising — real stories from inside the beauty industry. Connect with Everyone on Instagram: @hairbydulcenatalie @rootededandrisingbeauty

In this episode, we’re sharing our real favorite things: the hair products, tools, and everyday essentials we reach for constantly. From behind the chair must-haves to the random life upgrades that genuinely make our days better, this one is a cozy, chatty roundup of things we truly love (and would absolutely repurchase). Just some honest favorites from two licensed yappers. 💬✨ Things We Mentioned Hair Products Heart of Glass (incl. Beautiful Things Leave-In Mask) NaturalTech (Replumping Superactive, Renewing Conditioning Scalp Treatment) MINU Replumping Hair Tools Bio Ionic curling iron BaByliss Rapido blow dryer T3 Aire 360 Voloom Dom Dom velcro rollers Clips: Kristen Ess, SSEN, YS Park Bleach brush BABE brush Bay Area Beauty Engineer brush YS Park cutting comb Cricket XL foiling comb Davines disposable capes (discontinued — RIP 😭) Beauty + Skincare IMAGE Pure Mineral Tinted Moisturizer Dieux moisturizer Cetaphil moisturizer Palmer’s Cocoa Butter swivel stick Dove unscented soap Thrive Causemetics mascara Life Upgrades Bombas socks Kiziks shoes (with inserts) Pillow Cube pillow Paper Mate felt-tip pens Sugar Paper Planner Beats Studio Pro headphones The Comfy Wellness Dr. Berg electrolytes Nello Super Calm Magnesium glycinate Vitamin D + Vitamin K Books Fourth Wing series

Season 2 of Rooted & Rising is officially here. In this premiere episode, hairstylists and co-hosts Quinn and Josie share major career and life updates, including moving to new salons, leveling up their education, and stepping into new creative opportunities since Season 1. This episode sets the tone for a new season focused on growth, professionalism, and real conversations in the beauty industry. We talk about what inspired our salon moves, what we learned through the transition, and how those changes are shaping our work behind the chair — and the podcast itself. We also share recent career highlights, including working on an indie film set, advanced color mentoring in NYC, and international color education in Montréal. You’ll also hear what’s coming in Season 2 of the podcast: more personal stories, thoughtful industry “tea,” client-focused conversations around maintenance, expectations, and pricing, plus interviews with experienced beauty professionals. Plus, we introduce our Licensed Yapper merch! If you’re a hairstylist, salon professional, or creative looking to grow personally and professionally, this season is for you. If you’ve been here since Season 1 or you’re just finding us now, welcome to the new era. Let’s stay connected: Follow the podcast and our IG @rootedandrisingbeauty, subscribe so you don’t miss an episode, and share this with a friend who loves real conversations in the beauty industry. Leave a review — it helps more than you know. And as always, send us your questions, topics, or salon tea you want us to cover.

In this episode of Rooted + Rising Through the Beauty Industry, Josie Aldrich and Quinn Mattingly sit down with stylist Sam Vimbela, Quinn’s “same-day salon sister”, to talk about the first two years of life behind the chair. Sam shares her honest highs and lows, from tough pricing conversations and busy books to the lessons she’s learned about client communication, active listening, and building consultation confidence. We also unpack how Gen Z is influencing the beauty industry through individuality, authenticity, and a refusal to “just do it the way it’s always been done.” ✨ What you’ll learn in this episode: Why people skills > perfect layers in your first years How to build consultation confidence and lead conversations The Gen Z perspective on individuality, authenticity, and breaking salon stereotypes Common misconceptions about younger stylists and how they see it Real highs & lows: busy weeks, after-photo guilt, and system gaps with pricing A current Gen Z vocabulary list that “no man deserves”. This is a must-listen for new stylists, salon assistants, and salon leaders mentoring Gen Z talent. 🔗 Connect with us on Instagram @lighten.with.josie | @quinn_does_hair | @hairbysamijoe | @rootedandrisingbeauty gen z hairstylist, new stylist advice, salon consultation tips, hair industry podcast, stylist mindset, client communication hair, early career hairdresser, beauty industry education, behind the chair advice, stylist growth journey

In this heartfelt and no-fluff episode, we sit down with our social media manager and branding expert Lily Xiong (aka our gift from the universe) to talk about what it really means to show up for yourself as a stylist, creative, or small business owner. Lily shares her deeply personal journey, from rock bottom moments to rebuilding her life and career through hair, hustle, and heart. We talk about: Why your personal brand is your superpower The mindset shift behind consistent content creation Her three must-do tips for building visibility on Instagram Why every stylist (yes, even employees) should consider a personal website How boundaries = better business And what it actually looks like to honor where you are right now This episode is full of real talk, vulnerable moments, and tough love (in the best way). If you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to juggle life, clients, and content: you’re not alone. And you’re going to walk away from this one feeling seen, supported, and fired up. Connect with Lily on Instagram: @lilymariexobeauty @alchemysalonandspa @wildsonderco Connect with us: Instagram TikTok

In this vulnerable and laugh-filled episode of Rooted + Rising Through the Beauty Industry, we sit down with stylist and educator Gisell Mada to explore a topic that hits home for so many beauty pros: imposter syndrome. Gisell opens up about her journey from second-guessing herself to becoming known as a transformation specialist and how faith, motherhood, and community helped her find stability in the chaos. We talk about the emotional labor behind big color services, what it feels like to teach with shaky confidence, and why accepting compliments can be one of the hardest parts of growth. If you’ve ever felt like you’re faking it, doubting your talent, or wondering when you’ll “finally feel legit,” this episode is for you. Follow Gisell Mada on Instagram + TikTok

In this vibrant and unfiltered episode, Josie and Quinn sit down with the unapologetically bold duo behind Bleach: Krista Storm, an online educator and viral stylist personality, and Carly Gurinskas, a branding visionary and stylist with nearly 20 years in the industry. Together, they unpack what it really means to build a brand that doesn’t fit the beige box. From surviving a full salon walkout to going viral for charging $320 for a root touch-up, Krista and Carly share the highs, lows, and hilarious behind-the-scenes that shape their salon and careers. Expect real talk about: ​Navigating friendship + business partnerships​Building a salon with $30K during COVID shutdowns​Going viral on TikTok (and the hate that comes with it)​Why pricing transparency is non-negotiable​Letting go of outdated salon models​Holding space and leading with conviction​Embracing human design to supercharge collaboration​And why being bold (and maybe pink-ceilinged) is the only way forwardWhether you’re a baby stylist, seasoned pro, or salon owner questioning if you really want a team, this episode is a hug, a wake-up call, and a hype sesh rolled into one. Connect with us on Instagram: Krista Storm: @kristakstorm Carly Gurinskas: @haircare.of.carly Rooted + Rising: @rootedandrisingbeauty

Key Highlights: Featuring Shardé Hunter, a 15-year veteran hairstylist and extension specialist Insights into salon career progression from hourly employee to suite owner Strategies for professional growth in the beauty industry Episode Quotes: "It is not our abilities that show what we truly are. It is our choices." - Dumbledore "Nothing changes if nothing changes" Topics Covered: Salon Career Stages Hourly employment Commission-based work Suite rental Business ownership Career Transformation Strategies Negotiating raises Analyzing business metrics Specializing in extensions Working smarter, not harder Professional Development Insights Importance of valuing employees Making data-driven career decisions Setting progressive business goals Managing work-life balance Key Takeaways: Prioritize personal growth over current circumstancesUse data to make strategic career choices Don't be afraid to specialize and pivot Guest Bio:Shardé Hunter is a 35-year-old hairstylist specializing in extensions and education, based in Sunnyvale, California. With over 15 years of industry experience, she has worked in various salon models and now runs her own business with a full-time assistant.Recommended for: Hairstylists, beauty professionals, entrepreneurs, career changers Instagrams to follow: Shardé Hunter Hair PageHo Page Rooted + Rising Josie Aldrich Quinn Mattingly