685: Boundaries: How to Protect Your Time, Energy, and Culture
Beyond The Technique Podcast
Setting boundaries isn’t about being difficult, it’s about protecting your time, energy, and the culture you’ve worked so hard to build. In this episode, Kati breaks down what healthy boundaries actually look like in a salon or spa, from client policies to team expectations, and why inconsistent enforcement can quietly damage your business. She shares powerful examples and practical strategies to help you confidently communicate, uphold standards, and lead with emotional intelligence. If you’ve ever struggled with saying no, holding people accountable, or maintaining professionalism...
info_outline
684: The Data You’ve Never Been Shown Before
Beyond The Technique Podcast
In this data-driven episode, Kati sits down with industry expert, Alain Audet to unpack what’s really happening in today’s salon and spa industry. We talk about rising prices and declining client counts and the critical role of accurate data and benchmarking. Alain shares insights from the KIM report, revealing how top-performing salons are making smarter decisions around pricing, inventory, and growth strategy. You’ll learn why standardization, clean data entry, and intentional retail systems are essential for scaling profitability in today’s market. If you want to lead with clarity...
info_outline
683: Winners vs. Losers: The Small Differences That Change Everything
Beyond The Technique Podcast
What separates winners from losers isn’t talent, it is mindset, behavior, and daily discipline. In this episode, Kati breaks down the defining differences between winners and losers, from ownership thinking and long-term vision to consistency, preparation, and resilience. She challenges leaders to reflect on their own habits, highlighting how high standards, data-driven decisions, and leaning into discomfort create lasting success. If you’re ready to elevate your leadership and build a winning culture, this episode will show you exactly where to start. GET MY BOOK! From First...
info_outline
682: Build Your Leadership Muscle
Beyond The Technique Podcast
In this episode, Kati sits down with award-winning salon owner and business strategist Lindsey Young-Bullock to explore what it truly means to build your leadership muscle in today’s evolving salon industry. Lindsey shares her journey from independent stylist to thriving salon owner, revealing the hard lessons, systems, and mindset shifts required to lead a high-performing team. Together, they unpack why so many stylists are returning to commission-based salons—and how owners must rise as stronger leaders, coaches, and decision-makers to support them. If you’re ready to grow your...
info_outline
681: Accomplish Big Things: How to Actually Follow Through
Beyond The Technique Podcast
Today, your host, Kati Whitledge breaks down how salon and spa owners can finally achieve big goals without becoming overwhelmed or quitting too soon. She challenges the belief that failure comes from lack of ability, revealing instead how “the gap” between where you are and where you want to be can create paralysis—and how daily action is the antidote. Kati walks you through the power of true commitment, identity shifts, and working backwards from your biggest vision into clear, repeatable daily habits. If you’re ready to stop overthinking, build confidence through consistency, and...
info_outline
680: The Soft Skills That Separate the Top 1%
Beyond The Technique Podcast
In this episode, Kati sits down with Kellie Johnson to explore the soft skills that truly separate top-performing salon professionals and leaders. From confidence and happiness as learned skills to building trust, integrity, and emotional intelligence within teams, Kellie shares actionable strategies to elevate culture and client experience. They also dive into real-world lessons on hiring, training, and leading through change in today’s evolving salon landscape. If you want to strengthen your leadership and create deeper client connections, this is a must-listen conversation. ...
info_outline
679: The Pursuit of Happiness Has Failed You
Beyond The Technique Podcast
In this episode, Kati challenges the idea that happiness is something to chase, revealing how the “pursuit” mindset can actually keep salon and spa owners feeling stuck, dissatisfied, and always behind. Drawing on the concept of “the gap,” she explains how constantly measuring yourself against an ever-moving ideal can create anxiety, burnout, and a lack of fulfillment—even when you’re making real progress. Instead, Kati shares a powerful shift: practicing happiness in the present by recognizing growth, celebrating small wins, and appreciating the simple moments that already exist...
info_outline
678: What’s Your Exit Policy?
Beyond The Technique Podcast
Join us today as we sit down with Award-Winning Salon Owner Jennifer Alvarez to tackle one of the most overlooked yet critical systems in business: your employee exit policy. Jennifer shares how a painful team departure led her to build a clear, structured protocol that protects culture, client relationships, and revenue—while still honoring team members’ next steps. Together, they unpack the importance of proactive communication, legal protections like non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, and creating a win-win experience when employees leave. If you’ve ever felt blindsided by...
info_outline
677: How to Avoid Conflict, with Kati Whitledge
Beyond The Technique Podcast
What if the very thing you’re trying to avoid is actually the key to your next level of growth? In this episode, Kati Whitledge challenges salon and spa owners to rethink conflict—not as drama to escape, but as a powerful driver of innovation, clarity, and leadership strength. She shares how avoiding conflict can quietly stall your culture, while healthy, values-driven confrontation builds respect, solutions, and momentum. You’ll walk away with practical strategies to lead through tension with confidence, ask better questions, and turn conflict into one of your greatest business...
info_outline
676: Be Great at Anything!
Beyond The Technique Podcast
In this episode of Beyond the Technique, Kati Whitledge sits down with award-winning salon owner Tonya Raybon to unpack her 15-year journey from bookkeeper to thriving salon CEO. Tonya shares why she transitioned from a booth rental model to a commission-based team, and how that decision transformed her culture, financial stability, and leadership impact. You’ll hear real, honest insights into letting go of hurt feelings when team members exit, learning through failure, and stepping fully into your role as a leader. If you’re ready to build a stronger, more unified salon business in...
info_outlineJoin us today as we sit down with Award-Winning Salon Owner Jennifer Alvarez to tackle one of the most overlooked yet critical systems in business: your employee exit policy. Jennifer shares how a painful team departure led her to build a clear, structured protocol that protects culture, client relationships, and revenue—while still honoring team members’ next steps. Together, they unpack the importance of proactive communication, legal protections like non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, and creating a win-win experience when employees leave. If you’ve ever felt blindsided by a team member’s exit or want to future-proof your salon, this conversation will challenge you to lead with clarity, confidence, and long-term vision.
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/CvuC2_LLTS0
GET MY BOOK!
From First Date to Forever; How to Market Like A Matchmaker: https://joinmya.com/from-first-date-to-forever-book
POWERED BY:
JOIN mya! joinmya.com
FOLLOW JENNIFER ALVAREZ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferjadealvarez/
GET THE GUIDE: https://jenniferjadealvarez.myflodesk.com/departing-protocol
LET’S CONNECT!
BTT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetechnique
MYA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/join_mya/
FOLLOW KATI WHITLEDGE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiwhitledge/
Get my favorite bio-hacking products: CLICK HERE
SPONSORS
Join the PBA: https://www.probeauty.org/