2026 marks 14 years since I started my business.
When I first began, I was just trying to figure things out one step at a time. I didn’t have all the answers, and truthfully, I’m still learning every single day.
But over the years, there have been moments, lessons, and mindset shifts that completely changed the way I run my business and my life.
So today I wanted to share 14 lessons from 14 years in business. The things I wish someone had told me when I was just starting out.
LESSON 1:
The Most Important Investment You’ll Ever Make Is in Yourself
If I could go back and speak to my 21-year-old self, I know exactly what I would say.
Because at that time in my life, I was in a very dark place. I felt overwhelmed by pressure and responsibility, yet incredibly alone at the same time.
Looking back now, one of the most important turning points in my life wasn’t a business decision, it was beginning to work on myself.
Going to therapy.
Becoming more self-aware.
Learning to recognise the limiting beliefs and thought patterns that were holding me back.
One of the most powerful ideas I learned was this:
Your word is your wand.
The way you speak to yourself, the beliefs you hold, and the energy you carry all shape the reality you create.
Your business will only grow to the level that you grow.
So never stop investing in yourself. Your mindset, your self-awareness, and your personal development will always be your greatest asset.
LESSON 2:
Confidence Comes From Doing Things Before You Feel Ready
People often think confidence comes first.
But in reality, confidence is something you build through action.
Early in my career, clients would come in requesting haircuts like short bobs after their extension installs.
The funny thing is, I wasn’t even a qualified hairdresser.
But instead of saying no, I backed myself.
Every time I did it, I got better. Every time I succeeded, my belief in myself grew stronger.
Over the years I’ve reinvented myself many times, from technician, to educator, to wholesaler, to hosting awards nights, to building a software company.
And every time I stepped into something new, I didn’t know exactly how it would work.
But I trusted that I would figure it out.
Confidence isn’t about knowing everything.
It’s about trusting yourself enough to start.
LESSON 3:
You Either Win or You Learn
One of the most powerful mindset shifts I’ve made is understanding that there is no such thing as failure in business.
You either win, or you learn.
Sometimes an idea doesn’t work.
Sometimes a strategy falls flat.
Sometimes things take a completely different direction than what you expected.
But every experience gives you information.
Every lesson moves you forward.
The only true failure is quitting entirely.
And even then, I believe every chapter still teaches you something valuable.
When you remove the fear of failure, you give yourself permission to try bigger things.
LESSON 4:
Your Definition of Success Will Change
When you first start earning more money, it’s easy to measure success by what you can buy.
For me, that looked like designer bags, a Range Rover, and upgrading my lifestyle.
But over time, I realised those things didn’t actually feel the way I thought they would.
Today, my definition of success looks very different.
Now I focus on investing in things that either make me money or give me back time.
Businesses.
Assets.
Investments.
Systems that create freedom.
Because real wealth isn’t about what you own.
It’s about freedom of time and choice.
LESSON 5:
Not Every Trend Is Worth Chasing
In our industry, trends come and go constantly.
New tools, new techniques, new “revolutionary” services.
And while continuing to educate yourself is incredibly important, not every trend is worth building your business around.
Before investing in something new, ask yourself:
Is there a validated market for this?
Is there long-term demand?
Does it make sense for my clients?
A good example is UV hair extensions. When they launched, they exploded across the industry.
But within months, they disappeared just as quickly.
Build your business around consistent services with real demand, not temporary hype.
LESSON 6:
Pricing Should Start With Your Numbers
One of the biggest mistakes I see salon owners make is setting their prices based on competitors.
But pricing should never start with the market.
It should start with your numbers.
Understand:
• Your personal expenses
• Your business expenses
• Your tax obligations
• Your realistic bookable hours
Then factor in a healthy utilisation rate of 70–80%, because no business runs at full capacity all the time.
When you price your services based on real numbers instead of guessing, you create a business that is actually profitable and sustainable.
LESSON 7:
More Revenue Doesn’t Always Mean More Profit
When I first started growing my team, I assumed that more clients and more revenue automatically meant more income.
But once you add team members, everything changes.
Suddenly there are new costs:
- Wages
- Superannuation
- Insurance
- Training time
- Software
- Supplies
And because team members can’t operate at 100% utilisation, not every hour generates revenue.
For a period of time, I was working harder than ever but actually making less money than when I worked alone.
Growth only works when your pricing and financial structure grow with it.
LESSON 8:
Understanding Your Numbers Changes Everything
The moment I truly understood the difference between revenue, gross profit, and net profit was a turning point in my business.
Today I analyse metrics like:
• Gross profit per team member
• Service costs
• Utilisation rates
• Operational expenses
For example, across my team each stylist generates around $150,000 in gross profit per year on average.
Having this data allows me to make clear decisions about whether to focus on hiring, pricing, efficiency, or training.
When you understand your numbers, you stop making emotional decisions and start making strategic ones.
LESSON 9:
Stop being the answer to everything
For a long time I believed that doing everything myself was the most efficient way to run my business.
But the truth is, the most valuable thing in your business is your time.
I used to spend hours doing admin, picking up stock, running errands, and completing tasks that didn’t actually generate income.
Once I began outsourcing and delegating those responsibilities, it created space for me to focus on the work that truly moved the business forward.
Outsourcing isn’t a cost.
It’s an investment in your future capacity.
LESSON 10:
Systems Turn Chaos Into Structure
People talk about systems all the time, but in a salon environment systems simply mean clear processes that allow the business to run without constant supervision.
Start by identifying repetitive tasks and documenting how they should be done.
A helpful framework is:
Watch me → Do it with me → Do it independently.
Systems can apply to:
- Inventory management
- Team meetings
- Client communication
- Daily operations
The goal is that anyone stepping into a role has a clear reference point for how things are done.
That’s how businesses become scalable.
LESSON 11:
Never Hire From a Place of Desperation
When you’re overwhelmed and overbooked, it can be tempting to hire the first person who applies.
But hiring the wrong person can cost far more than waiting for the right one.
Today my hiring process focuses less on skills and more on alignment and intention.
I ask questions like:
- Where do you see yourself in the next year?
- What does your ideal lifestyle look like?
- What are your long-term goals?
- Because building a team isn’t just about filling a position.
It’s about finding people whose direction aligns with your business.
LESSON 12:
Your Team Cannot Operate at 100%
When I first hired staff, I expected them to work the same way I had when I was working alone, fully booked back-to-back.
But humans are not machines.
Healthy businesses operate at 70 - 80% utilisation, allowing space for:
- Training
- Client care
- Breaks
- Problem solving
When I shifted from a scarcity mindset to a sustainable one, our culture and performance improved dramatically.
LESSON 13:
Learning to Say No Protects Your Vision
Earlier in my career, I said yes to almost everything.
Late appointments.
Weekend bookings.
Clients running late.
I did it because I cared about my clients, but also because I was afraid they would go somewhere else.
Over time, it became exhausting.
Today I understand that boundaries are necessary for growth.
Sometimes protecting your time is the most powerful decision you can make.
LESSON 14:
White Space Is Where Your Best Ideas Live
For years I believed productivity meant being busy.
But some of my best ideas have come during moments of quiet.
Going for a walk. Driving. Taking a break.
White space allows your mind to shift from reactive thinking to strategic thinking.
It’s where creativity, clarity, and inspiration happen.
Now I see those moments not as unproductive time, but as some of the most valuable time in my week.
Fourteen years ago I had no idea where this journey would take me.
But if there’s one thing I know now, it’s this:
Business growth and personal growth are deeply connected.
And the more you invest in becoming the person capable of building something bigger, the more your life and business will expand alongside you.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey so far.
The best is still ahead.
