Salon Swagger

Brie Holt (00:01)
Hey guys, welcome back to Salon Swagger where we dive into the good, the bad, and everything in between when it comes to running a commissioned salon or spa. I'm Brie, and as always, I am joined by none other than Chandra C. Hey girl, what's up?

Chandra (00:12)
Hello?

Brie Holt (00:14)
Awesome. So I want to ask everybody out there something really, really quickly. Are you tired of living a life and running a business that doesn't excite you, that just feels good enough? Because if you are, you are in the right place today. If you are feeling stuck, if you're feeling overwhelmed, if you feel like you are spinning your wheels, then this episode is for you. Because today we're going to talk about how to break free from that cycle, how to stop settling for that good enough feeling, and how to really take some bold action

to create the life and the business that you actually want. I really got thinking, Chandra, because we were on a call with one of our BBA members the other day, and this is exactly what we were talking about. She isn't living the life that she wants to live. Her business isn't standing for what she wants it to stand for. And that's a very lonely feeling. It's a very sad feeling, to be completely honest. And so it made me think about my life. I'm sure it made you think about yours and...

It really made me think about everybody out there and how many people are actually feeling that way. I don't know about you, but I don't want anyone to feel that way. I'm excited about my business. I love my life and I want everyone to feel that way. How about you?

Chandra (01:28)
for sure. Yeah, I thought about the same thing after that call too. I was like, I've been there though. I know how she feels, but yeah.

Brie Holt (01:36)
Absolutely. Absolutely. Well, today, I think we're going to dive into everything from gaining clarity about what you actually want to building the habits that are going to drive change to overcoming the fears and patterns that really hold you back. And most importantly, how to write your next chapter on your terms. This is going to be different. This episode is going to be different. It's going to be deep. It's going to be reflective, and it's going to be more of an actionable conversation.

So I just encourage everyone out there to grab a notebook, take some notes, and get ready to write your story the exact way that you want it to be written. So I think we should start with something simple, but really, really important, and that's awareness. Because if you don't know what you want, how in the world are you ever going to be able to go after it? The problem is most people avoid asking themselves that question. Why?

Because getting honest about what you want, means facing the reality that change, it's going to have to happen. And let's be real. Change is freaking scary. I hate change. There is nothing that I like about it. It scares the living crap out of me and I don't want to deal with it, but I have to, right? Like that's just part of it. So here's a question for everybody out there. One more time. Are you living a life that truly excites you? A life that

feels like your own? Or are you living a life that is shaped by what others expect of you? If it's the latter, it is time to stop and ask yourself why you are doing that. Chandra, when you're coaching salon and spa owners who just feel kind of stuck and they don't really know what they want or where to start to actually figure that out, what would be one of the first things you would tell them just to start guiding them in the right direction?

Chandra (03:31)
I mean, the same thing I do for myself, which is kind of like, you have to figure out why you're even doing it and start there. Like, why? Why am I doing all of this? Why do I want this? And I think that starts to lead to those other questions that you can answer as to what it is you actually want out of your life. Because sometimes we do stuff just because we feel like that's what we're supposed to do instead of actually being things that are.

Brie Holt (04:00)
Yeah, absolutely. mean, you just it's the reality is you can't create the life or business you want if you're not clear on exactly what it looks like. So you're right. You have to break it down and figure out exactly what that looks like for you, not for anyone else. And that's a mistake that I made myself. And I see people make all the time. It's it's not the life that your mom wants for you or your dad or your brother or your sister or your friend or your spouse. It's got to be the life that you want for yourself. Most of the time.

people are stuck because they are chasing someone else's definition of success. And that's really, really sad. So for those of you out there listening, pause for a moment and think about this. If fear, money, or time, if those weren't issues at all, what would your dream life look like? What kind of business would you run? And how would your day-to-day feel? Because getting clear on what you want is powerful, but it is not easy.

In fact, for most people, it's terrifying, absolutely terrifying. Why? Because once you know what you want, you can't unsee it. Everything becomes real. It forces you to look at where you are right now. And sometimes, sometimes the gap between where you are and where you want to be feels extremely overwhelming. So take out your notebook and write this down. What does my dream business look like?

What does my dream life look like? Who do I need to become to make this vision a reality? Chandra, do you think people avoid asking these questions to themselves because they're afraid of the changes the answers might require?

Chandra (05:42)
for sure. think that's one of the biggest reasons why people don't do it is because they are afraid what's going to happen if I decide this and then now what do I have to do to get there? So I definitely, yeah, 100 % think that that's one of the things that holds people back. I know it holds me back sometimes too.

Brie Holt (06:01)
100%. Me too. Like it's held me back many, many times in my life. And I regret that I allowed it to hold me back, but it did. So once we kind of have clarity, the next step is going to be action. And let's be honest, this is where most people just freeze. They just freeze. So I want you guys to pause for just a second. And I want you to picture this. You are standing on a stepping stone. You can use it as a launch pad to take your next step or

You can settle in and treat it like a permanent foundation. Here's the thing, stepping stones, they are not meant to be where you stay. They are meant to help you move forward. But so many of us, just cling to where we are because it feels safe. We have that safety net. So ask yourself, am I using where I am right now to grow or am I just staying comfortable? The truth is moving forward, it's always going to come with uncertainty.

It doesn't matter. It's going to. It's normal to feel scared, scared of failing, scared of getting it wrong, scared of wasting time, but staying in the same place. That's a guaranteed way for you to stay stuck forever. So ask yourself what's one thing that you have been avoiding because you are afraid that it might not work out. And what's the worst that could happen if you just tried and what's the best that could happen if it actually works.

Growth isn't about having everything figured out and I wish people would understand this. It is literally, in my opinion, about having the courage to take the first step, even when you're not sure where it's going to lead. Chandra, when you're working with someone who feels stuck, what is an encouraging way to get them just to take maybe even a small step forward?

Chandra (07:54)
I mean, I always like to just ask them what's the worst that can happen? Or what do you see this is gonna happen if you take this step or if you do this? And a lot of times they get stuck kinda like, well, nothing is really that bad gonna happen. And it's so much in your head, you get in your head and you start thinking of all these bad things and you get scared of it.

I think that's really, to me, getting people motivated and moving them forward sometimes is just really think about it. Like, what is the worst thing that's gonna happen if you do this? Not, not nothing.

Brie Holt (08:26)
Yeah. Right. So here's the bottom line. You can't move forward until you're honest about what you want. And once you're clear, it is up to you, nobody else. It's up to you to take the next step, no matter how uncertain it feels. So ask yourself, what does success mean to you? Not to anyone else. Like I said earlier, not your spouse, not your mom, not your brother, not your sister, nobody to you. If nothing changes in the next five years,

Are you going to be okay with that? Are you truly going to be okay with nothing changing? If the answer is no, it is time for you to stop treating the stepping stone as a resting place and use it to launch into the life and business that you've always wanted. All right, so once we've taken that first step and you've gained clarity on exactly what you want, this is where things really kind of start to happen and unfold. Now it's time to build the habits that are going to turn that vision

into a reality. So let me ask you this, are your current habits moving you closer to the life and business that you want? Or are they what's actually keeping you stuck? Most people don't think about habits this way, Chandra, they, they don't see them as the foundation for everything, but they really, really are. Your habits are what separate dreams from results. The good news is

Habits don't have to be complicated. They don't have to be massive in order to make a difference. Sometimes it's literally those small shifts that create the biggest momentum over time. For example, we teach our people at BBA to do certain things, right? Certain habits, which is like a weekly review of their finances or setting aside 15 minutes each day to plan for tomorrow or regularly connecting with their team in a meaningful way.

not just connecting with them over KPIs and benchmarks, but a meaningful way. These are not what some people would call earth shattering changes, but they stack up in those powerful, powerful ways. So Chandra, what is one habit that you have seen that has completely transformed someone's business, even if it seemed really, really small in the beginning?

Chandra (10:42)
I mean, I think what kind of what you said with the financial part, just actually taking a few minutes and making that a habit every week or every day to review your finances and put your financials into like a budgeting system or something like that, because people will go, when we've been working with people, noticed our members, a lot of them, they will go months without even looking at that.

And once they just start taking that 15 minutes here, 15 minutes there, making that a habit, all of a sudden they are profitable, which is like crazy. But it's such a small thing and they didn't change a lot, but it's just actually knowing what's going on. And that little habit makes a huge difference.

Brie Holt (11:26)
Absolutely. I feel like this is where a lot of people kind of get tripped up because habits take time. Results aren't going to show up overnight. And I noticed that a lot of people tend to lose motivation because of that, right? They want that instant gratification of making the changes. Success to me isn't about one big breakthrough though. It's about showing up consistently.

Even when it feels uncomfortable or uncertain, you are still showing up consistently every single day. This is one of the things that I love to tell people that I'm coaching and I repeat to myself all the time. You have to fall in love with the process, not just the outcome. And that is so profound in my opinion, because so many times the outcome, the big goals, the milestones, the success, it isn't what creates lasting change.

It's the daily work, it's the small wins, and it's really that commitment to keep going that shape who you are and where you're headed. So if you're out there, ask yourself, am I focusing so much on the results that I am missing the value of the journey? Whether it's simple things, perfecting your systems, leading your team, setting boundaries, growth happens in those very, very small everyday actions.

We work with owners all the time and we are helping them shift their mindset to embrace the process, even when they aren't seeing results right away. So Chandra, what is the number one piece of advice that you usually give to help someone move past that frustration so that they'll actually stay committed to building these habits?

Chandra (13:09)
I I think it's just consistency. comes down to a lot of just staying consistent with the small things, even if you feel like it's not changing right away and not losing that momentum just because you did it twice and it didn't work. I think consistency is huge. And I think that's where everybody kind of falls by the wayside is they get frustrated and they quit before they give it a chance to start working.

Brie Holt (13:33)
Well, and it's the only way to build a true habit, right? Consistency, consistency, consistency. And I know in my journey as a business owner in my life, I've done things, created habits and they've worked and they've worked and they've worked and they've worked and then they stop and they stop and they stop and then they start working again. But had I given up when they did stop, I would have never seen the results at the end of it if I hadn't been consistent in that. Do you notice that that happens to you as well?

Chandra (14:04)
all the time. For sure.

Brie Holt (14:06)
Yeah, it's just one of those things. So I want to pause here really quickly just for a little bit of reflection. And I want to take a moment to ask you guys to evaluate your habits. So what is one habit that you have right now that is possibly holding you back? And what's one habit that you could actually start this week or today that would move you closer to your goals? Once again, these don't have to be some dramatic changes. The simpler, the better.

Small actions done consistently are going to be the secret to sustainable growth. The one thing to remember about habits is that they actually create a system. You're not just chasing those short-term wins. You're actually building a long-term foundation for success. So maybe ask yourself, what systems do you need to create through your habits? A system for tracking financial goals, a system for client retention, a system for leading your team.

Whatever it is, building the right habits is how you create consistent progress. And here's what I want everyone to remember. Habits don't need to be huge to make an impact. We've said it a million times, but it's important. It's about small, consistent actions. Fall in love with the process because that's where the real growth is going to happen. And when fear shows up, and it will, I promise you, it will, acknowledge it, but don't let it keep you from moving forward.

Chandra, what is one habit that you think people listening today could commit to, to maybe help them move a little bit closer to their goal or to just get them started? Let's say they're feeling overwhelmed by everything that they need to change. What's the one thing that they could focus on today?

Chandra (15:55)
think really just focusing, you're talking business-wise, really kind of focusing on just your leadership and who you are and how you want to show up and making little small changes to those habits to decide, you know what? I am just going to meet with my team, or I'm just going to take time to figure out how to start managing my business. Just little things. think...

because that's where I think everybody falls off is because they start stacking them all up and they're like, I got to do 500 things and then they don't do anything. And so what is just the one thing that you notice is lacking the most in your business? And I feel like it does always kind of start with leadership. So I feel like working on some working on yourself is a good place to start.

Brie Holt (16:41)
What would you say in a personal realm?

Chandra (16:45)
It kind of is similar, honestly. I think when you're trying to do your own life, and you're running out of control, or you can't get things in order, it happens to me all the time, I have to pause and really sit back and think, I need to work on myself. And taking time for yourself to reflect, or taking time for yourself to pay attention to what's going on in your life, that I think is a really good habit to start. And that will help both sides, business and personal.

Brie Holt (17:12)
Yeah, I like that. I kind of think that that makes us want to take a step back from this conversation just a little bit and talk about why so many of us do get stuck. Even when you have clarity and even when you start to build those habits, it's really easy to feel like you are spinning your wheels just constantly. But I think it's so important that people understand the truth is feeling stuck, it isn't a failure.

It's really a signal and if people would look at it that way, it would change their lives. It's a signal that's telling you that something isn't working and that it's time to maybe change directions. But here's the catch. Most people, they just ignore those signals. They completely ignore them. Instead of maybe seeking support or rethinking their approach, they tell themselves, eh, I'll just figure it out on my own when I have time. And let's be real.

Trying to do everything alone is one of the biggest mistakes you can make, especially as a business owner. It's slow, it's exhausting, and it's expensive, not just financially, but even emotionally, right? In my opinion, there's really three main reasons why people stay stuck. And the first one is you don't know what you don't know. I say this all the time. How often have

You felt frustrated in your business because you didn't have the tools or the knowledge to take the next step. It's not that you're incapable, it's that you're missing something. The good news is there are resources out there like crazy books, podcasts, like this one, courses, coaches. They are everywhere. The real question is, are you willing to invest the time, the effort or the money to learn what you need?

So Chandra, what's your advice for someone who feels overwhelmed by the amount of information that's out there? Because it is, it is everywhere. And how do they figure out what is actually worth their time?

Chandra (19:18)
I think for myself, what I would say is just really kind of deciding what you need the most. What is happening in your business? What is happening in your personal life? Maybe you need a personal coach. What is affecting you the most? And then really trying to just stick with researching and finding things that are just in that specific niche or that specific area because there is so much stuff.

And I think there's almost too much stuff sometimes where people jump from thing to thing to thing to thing to instead of actually nailing down or sticking with something long enough to get it to actually work for you or to accept the truth sometimes that maybe you need help and you need to change and actually take action on what a lot of those different resources or people or things are telling you.

I mean, I've been there, I tried thing to thing to thing too and went all over the place. And so it wasn't until I finally just decided I need help with this and we're going to go in this direction that I finally found things that work.

Brie Holt (20:18)
Yeah, definitely. And I think I would like to add in there just a little bit. Make sure that whatever you are trying to be successful at, the person that is mentoring you or helping you has actually succeeded in that area. Right? When I was going through the motions and trying to get my salon from the gutter,

I looked at a lot of different things. However, the people that were wanting to help me or wanting to mentor me or wanting to lead and guide me, they had never been in my shoes. They had never been in the industry. Like they didn't get any of it. And you know, as well as I do, this industry is different. I preach it. I say it all the time. I can't say it enough. And so make sure whatever area or niche you are looking at, whoever is going to guide and lead you has been successful in overcoming.

the obstacles that you're going through. The second reason people stay stuck is that they are too close to the problem. You can't see the full picture when you are in the middle of the chaos. You're so busy managing maybe the day to day that it's nearly impossible to step back in, see the patterns, see the blind spots, or maybe even the opportunities that are right in front of you. This is where mentorship and coaching can be game changing, life changing, in my opinion.

Someone who isn't in the trenches with you, they can really give you a fresh perspective and help you see what you may be missing. Chandra, have you ever had someone point out something that you couldn't see about your business and what shifted for you after that?

Chandra (21:56)
for sure. think I was definitely had tunnel vision and was not paying attention to the things that really mattered. Instead, I was focusing on things that I thought mattered, but weren't actually the things that made the difference for me at the end of the day. And I mean, it's a hard truth to accept sometimes and it's hard to make those changes, but going through that process and just letting go and letting somebody else sort of look at what was happening from the outside.

I think was what really helped change things for me and having them really see what was going on with my business instead of me just being telling. Because even when I would tell, think even when I worked with you, I would tell you like, this is happening, this is happening. But that wasn't actually the real problem. There was other things that were causing those issues that I needed to work on. And so, yeah.

Brie Holt (22:45)
Yeah, definitely. What do you feel shifted for you after that? Like once we were able to find those blind spots, right? And I was help you to kind of able to actually see what was going on instead of the 900 problems you thought you had, the two main problems that really changed everything. What shifted for you after that?

Chandra (23:04)
I mean, everything shifted. I, started definitely seeing more profitability in the business. I started feeling less stressed, less overwhelmed, got more organized, which was something I could never seem to figure out. And I mean, everything shifted, honestly, personal and professional life, because then you have more time to actually focus on your personal life when you can get your business to be under control. And so it's all of those things shifted.

Brie Holt (23:33)
Very, very true, very true words. So if you're out there listening, ask yourself, do you need someone in your life who could give you honest, constructive feedback about your business? And then ask yourself this, are you open to hearing what they have to say, even if it is very, very, very uncomfortable? Here's the hardest truth. The third reason people stay stuck is lack of commitment. Let's be honest, sometimes

We say that we really, really want something, but our actions, they don't match our words. It's so easy to make excuses. I don't have time. I'll do it later. I'm waiting for the right moment. The reality is there is never going to be a perfect moment. If you are not taking action right now, you have to ask yourself, am I really committed or am I just hoping things are going to magically fall into place? Chandra, how do you help people recognize

when their lack of action is actually maybe about fear or hesitation, not external circumstances.

Chandra (24:40)
I think it's really looking on the inside and kind of guiding people to really understand where they're at and what they want because so many times they do, they tell us things and we're like, that doesn't really make sense for what you're doing. And so I think it really just kind of guiding them to just see it from my perspective or from our perspective when we're working with them so that they can actually understand.

And it's hard, like we just had a conversation recently with someone and it was a really hard breakthrough for her to actually see it from the other side. And so that's the biggest thing I think is getting them to see it from our perspective instead of the weeds that they're in at the time.

Brie Holt (25:21)
Yeah, what do you say to someone who's constantly making excuses for why they can't take action?

Chandra (25:30)
gosh, what do we say? don't know. I mean, I think probably just like you're making excuses. We got, we got to actually nail this down. Like, why are, why are you saying these things? Like, why do you want the, why do you think that these things are the things that are holding you back or affecting you? I like why questions. think why questions always kind of bring things out in people and they start to have to think. And then when you keep asking them why eventually they get to the root of

why they're making these excuses and understanding if it's fear or if it's money or whatever it is, but they're not facing that truth. And so I like asking why questions like, why are you saying that? Or why do you feel that way? And kind of getting to the root.

Brie Holt (26:15)
Yeah i think that's good i think the wise and the what ifs are really really good to kinda get into okay now let's talk about what it really really cost. For you to stay stuck because it's not just about the financial toll which that is usually a big one. Really really big one it's it's also about time time you can't ever get back it's about the emotional toll of feeling overwhelmed frustrated burnt out so you have to ask yourself.

What does my life and business look like five years from now if I keep doing exactly what I'm doing this very second? And am I okay with that? Am I really, really deep down okay with things being the exact same? So I want you to reflect on this and just write this down. What's one area in your business where you've been kind of spinning your wheels, trying to figure it out on your own? That's going to be important. And what could change if you just ask for help?

or invested in a little bit of guidance. Here's the thing about asking for help. It's not a sign of weakness. I get so tired of people thinking this. It is actually one of the smartest things that you can do. And I can attest to this because I have helped thousands of salon and spa owners and I see their life now compared to where they were before they just said, I need help. When you invest in guidance,

You're not just buying knowledge. Listen very, very closely. You are buying speed, speed. You're learning from someone else's mistakes so you don't have to make them yourself. You're getting a roadmap so you can focus your energy on ensuring that you are moving forward. So many people just choose to stay stuck because they think the cost of help is way too much when in reality they could be making double their investment in record time.

Chandra, what's your advice for someone who is absolutely afraid or putting it off or terrified to invest in help because they are so worried about the cost. It's always about the money. What would your advice to them be?

Chandra (28:27)
Well, I think it's really like, what's the cost if you don't do it? Like, what is the difference if you, if you stay where you are and you already don't have any money or you're in a bad place financially or your time and you're stressed and you're all of those things, what is the cost if you don't? So it's like, what if you try this and it actually works? What if you do this and it works? And how quickly could you get out of that mess instead of being stuck in there? And I think that's where people don't.

They don't think about that. They think they try to just copy what other salon owners are doing, or they try to copy all these other things and it's not for them. And so I think that's my biggest advice would just be really, what do you stand to lose if you stay where you are? And I think that's the biggest game changer for most people. They don't think about that. They don't realize it.

Brie Holt (29:18)
Yeah, hundred percent. And I'll go back to one of the other things is I used to always tell myself and I hear owners say it all the time, right? Cost is a big thing and I'll just figure it out myself. Like I said it earlier, but it's so important. Does this feel safe? A hundred percent, but it is totally holding people back. When you stay in a mindset that's like this, you are choosing, you are literally choosing trial and error over proven strategies. You're choosing.

to make avoidable mistakes. Think about that. That's absolutely crazy. You are choosing to waste time that you could be spending, building the actual life and business that you want. So here's a thought. What if the thing holding you back isn't just the work itself, but the fact that you are just trying to do it all alone? That's all.

Here's what I want you guys out there listening to take away from this. If you're feeling stuck, don't ignore it. It's a signal that something needs to change. If you have to ask yourself hard questions, are you missing knowledge? Do you need an outside perspective? Are you truly, truly committed to taking action? Stop trying to figure it out all on your own. Seek help, invest in guidance and trust that the right support can save you years.

And I mean years of frustration. Chandra, if someone listening is feeling overwhelmed just right this very second, or they're hesitant to kind of take that next step. I know I was at one point in time. I know you were. What is the one thing that you would tell them to do today?

Chandra (31:00)
I think just start reaching out and finding somewhere, someone, some help that will get you through whatever it is that you're going through and get you to that next level or that next step. It doesn't cost you anything to find out. It doesn't cost you anything to reach out, do research, check into it. I think that's the biggest thing I think that holds people back too is they do get overwhelmed. So I think just really figuring out, sitting down, coming up with your why, figuring out exactly what that looks like.

and then reaching out to get help, like just do some research, find out who's out there, find out what they offer and find out what they can do to help you through that.

Brie Holt (31:39)
I think it's really important for people to remember that nobody, I don't care who they are, no one achieves success alone. They just don't. The faster you ask for help, the faster you are going to start moving forward. So the fear and the pride, don't let that keep you in the same spot that you're in. Guys, we work with salon and spa owners who have owned their studios for decades, decades, and they have been in the same spot.

hanging on by a thread, killing themselves over and over again on a daily basis because of fear and because of pride. And so don't make the mistakes that they've made. Okay, so I wanna talk about what comes next and that is writing your next chapter. Your story isn't finished. No matter how stuck or unsure that you feel right now in this very minute, you hold the pen.

Where you go from here is completely up to you. But writing your next chapter, it doesn't happen by accident. It's going to require a few things. It's going to require clarity, intentional action, and resilience. So I wanna talk about those for just a second, Chandra. The first step is really getting clear on the story that you wanna tell. If you don't know where you're headed, how are you going to know if you're moving in the right direction? Like we've talked about this.

So I want you to ask yourself, what do I want my life and business to look like in the next three to five years? That's going to be asked a million times because it's so important. And what kind of person, leader, business owner do you want to become? It's not just about goals. It's about connecting to that deeper why that Chandra was talking about. The reason you are doing all of this in the first place. It's so important. So

Maybe ask yourself what's one thing that you want to be known for in your life or business and what kind of legacy do you really want to leave behind? Chandra, how do you help someone maybe focus on what they truly want when they feel overwhelmed by so many options and honestly opinions from other people?

Chandra (33:57)
I mean, I think the biggest thing is really asking yourself the hard questions. so I like to, mean, I always kind of go back to that, what those why questions and what is it that you want to do? Why do you want to do that? What legacy do you want to leave? Then ask yourself, why do you want to leave that legacy? What does that route look like for you? What is it that you want your business to look like? Why do you want it to look like that? Because I think that's the only place. And for myself, that's where I have to start because sometimes I'll be thinking things and then I'm like,

Why do I even want to do that? And then I have to dig deeper and figure out, it's because of my kids. I want to leave this for my kids. You always kind of have to find that attachment and that deeper why and dig. You have to dig deep. have to take time to do this. You can't just spout off a bunch of stuff and then be like, that's what I'm going to do. Because if you're not really deeply invested in that reason or in your purpose,

then it doesn't work. You keep spinning your wheels. You don't try to do the things that you need to do. You don't create the habits. And so I like to make sure that people, they fully understand exactly where they're at, then they can move forward in that direction. And that's a hard thing. I I think it's hard to pull that out sometimes to really know. I just kind of always go back to that. Why do you want that? Why do you want this? Why does that feel like that? And then you finally figure it out. And then you have a road map.

to start your roadmap, right? Where to go from there.

Brie Holt (35:24)
Yeah, and I feel like so many people and maybe I'm so many people. But when I was first kind of figuring out my why I stayed very, very surface level. I didn't want to get into the trenches of my own thoughts and my own heart and my own feelings. It bothered me. It really, really did. And so I stayed very surface level and that got me absolutely nowhere to be honest with you.

I really did have to get in there and dig deep and shed some tears, a lot of tears to be honest with you and some frustration and some anxiety and all kinds of things like that to really, really be able to figure that out. is so, so very important. And even if you think you know what your why is right this very second, go through it again and just make sure because my why has changed so many times throughout the years of business ownership that

I kind of look at my first why and I'm like, my goodness, I was such a baby during, you know what I mean? Things have just changed so much, life has changed. So once you're clear on your story, your why, the next step is always going to be action. But here's the key. It's not about doing everything at once. It is about taking those small intentional steps that are going to bring you closer to your vision. So you kind of have to ask yourself,

What is just one thing that I can do today or this week to move closer to the story that I want to write? Once again, they don't have to be massive. They just need to be consistent. Remember that that progress happens when you keep showing up in the small ways every single day. Taking action. It always, in my opinion, means facing uncertainty. There's always a chance that something is not going to work out. But failure isn't the end of your story. It's

part of the process and as a business as a freaking human being failure is part of the process like none of us are perfect we are going to fail it's going to happen many many many times not throughout your life throughout the year to be honest and so you need to think about things what what would you gain if you succeeded because you're going to succeed at times to that's the thing people just think failure and they don't see success ever and it's always both right.

What lessons would you learn if you didn't succeed? Because there are always lessons in failure. What's your advice, Chandra, for helping someone maybe prioritize this step, the next step of action, when they have so much on their plate? Because this is something that we combat constantly, especially with salon owners. Most of them are moms. They have children. They have spouses. They are playing

All of those roles that we talk about and so what is the way that they can prioritize their next steps when they are so full of juggling millions of things.

Chandra (38:28)
Yeah, think putting everything down first is really important. Writing down all of the things that you need to work on or all of the issues going on in your business or your personal life or whatever that looks like. And then really nailing down like what are going to be the most important things to start with. And even if you're stressed or afraid, start with the things that might be the easiest. You know, it doesn't have to always be the big daunting task first, you know? So if it's financials, taking little steps to start.

getting a handle on your financials. Forget about the rest. know, it's like just finding the one thing out of that list that is going to be the most important for now or the easiest thing even to start with. And so I think that that's where I usually like to start or where I help people start is, just kind of, we got to know first what all needs to be done. Now let's prioritize what are going to be the most important or the most impactful things that we can just start chipping away at and then forget about the rest of your list for now.

And then I think that's where we get stressed and we're like, I have to do all these things. And it's like, no, let's just pick one. Let's pick one of these things. And so,

Brie Holt (39:32)
Absolutely. Even if you just focus on one per month, one thing on the list for the entire month, at least you are taking action. It's all about taking some sort of action. Writing your next chapter is going to require resilience. And I don't think that success is ever a straight line. It just isn't. There's no way if anybody has ever been successful in a straight line, then

They are very, very lucky because I just don't think that's how it goes. There's going to be challenges. There's going to be setbacks. There's going to be moments when you doubt yourself. So you have to think about things. Ask yourself maybe what's one challenge that you faced in the past that you overcame. This is just going to build confidence and let you know, right? What did it teach you about your ability to handle tough situations?

You have already proven yourself that you're capable of overcoming challenges at some point in your life. You need to use that strength so that you can move forward even when things feel uncertain or they feel really, really hard. Resilience isn't about avoiding problems. It's about trusting yourself to handle whatever is going to come your way next. Chandra, how do you encourage someone to stay committed when things just don't go as planned?

Chandra (40:56)
Yeah, I mean, I think it's really about trying it, putting yourself out there. And then if something's not working, it's like making little tweaks or making changes. Like we don't just give up. We don't just get tired. We don't just not care anymore. It's like, okay, well, if that, if what you're trying didn't work, let's see, let's try this direction or let's try this avenue with that specific situation or issue. Instead of just giving up on everything because the one thing didn't work out.

I think you have to just, you have to stay forward and keep motivation and keep coming back to that why. Like it didn't work out. Okay, this is truly what I want. So let's pivot. Let's figure out what we got to do next to try to get this thing in line or under control or whatever that looks like.

Brie Holt (41:39)
Yep, 100%. So here's what I want or Chandra and I want everyone to take away. You are the author of your story. If you don't like the chapter that you're in, you have the power to write something new. So to start writing your next chapter, you have to get clear on the story that you want to tell. You have to take intentional steps toward that vision and you have to stay resilient when things get hard because that is where growth is going to happen. Do not wait for the perfect moment.

start today, start right this very second, start right now, because your next chapter is waiting. It just needs you to take action and write it. If someone listening to this right now, Chandra, is feeling stuck, what is maybe just the one thing that they can do today to start creating the story that they want?

Chandra (42:32)
I think sit down and start reflecting on what's going on and where you're at and start figuring out that why, start figuring out what it is you want. Because if you don't start there, you can't go anywhere. It's like you have to start there so that way you know what you want to work towards, where you want to go. If you're stuck, and just start over. Sometimes you just got to start over. Like maybe you did, made mistakes or you failed or you did those things. Okay, fine, but just let it go.

and just start over. Like I do that to myself all the time. If I'm beating myself up over something, I'm like, okay, let it go and let's just start new. Cause every day you can start new, right? And so I think that's, that's the biggest advice for if you're stuck, this is the one thing you can start with is that.

Brie Holt (43:17)
That's exactly what I was going to say. I would encourage people just to pretend like today is a new day and completely start over. We're talking business here for the most part, guys. You can start over at any point in time. You can be a new business owner. You can be a better leader. You can be a CEO and not behind the chair all the time. You can be anything that you want to be, regardless of the millions of mistakes that you've made, regardless of the things that you don't know, you can learn it.

You can do whatever you want to do. We've covered so much today. We talked about clarity, action, resilience, and really everything in between. So I think if you remember one thing, remember this, you are in control. Feeling stuck doesn't mean that you're failing. It's an opportunity to pivot, reflect, and take the actual next step. Your life and business are yours to shape. And the next chapter is unwritten.

So what are you waiting for? So I have an action step for everybody out there today. Take one thing that you heard in this episode. I don't care what it is and just apply it. Maybe it's just writing down your vision or your why. Maybe it's identifying one habit that you need to change. Maybe it's reaching out for support. Remember those small consistent actions are going to lead to massive, massive change. All right guys, that's a wrap.

Thanks for tuning in to Salon Swagger. If you love today's episode, don't forget to like, follow and subscribe. Follow us on all social media platforms. Chandra, how do they do it?

Chandra (44:51)
Yeah, reach out to us @thebeautybizagency on Instagram or Facebook, or you can shoot us an email at admin@thebeautybizagency.com at the beautybizagency.com.

Brie Holt (45:00)
Absolutely. And do not forget to visit our website at www.thebeautybizagency.com. We have some amazing free resources that you can implement right now to level up your business. That could be your action step for today. Now go out there, take massive action and make some boss moves. Until next time, keep slaying those business goals with a whole lot of swagger.