In this episode of The Salon Scoop, we’re joined by award-winning colorist, educator, and Studio Sage owner Erica Keelen. Known for her transformational color work, editorial artistry, and powerful digital presence, Erica has built a thriving salon, a loyal clientele, and an Instagram audience of 31,000+—all while staying behind the chair.
From her NAHA nominations to winning the L’Oréal Color Style Trophy USA, Erica has used creativity, consistency, and smart digital marketing for salons to elevate her career. Today, she shares the real strategies she uses for clientele growth, Instagram for salons, salon marketing strategies, and leading a high-performing team.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How Erica built her clientele—and the digital marketing moves that still work today
The best-performing content for IG and the biggest social media mistakes salons make
How to turn followers into real clients using smart social media for salon owners
The biggest challenges salon owners face and how Erica leads her team
The digital tools, systems, and websites for salons that support growth
Google rankings best practices for salons + simple SEO updates you can apply
Loyalty program best practices for salons and how to boost retention
Erica’s top business advice for salon owners and stylists
For your daily dose of digital marketing for salons, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit this link to explore: https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o.s
This podcast is for salon owners and salon professionals who want to learn proven ways to grow their salon business, learn valuable salon leadership skills, boost their brand, grow their clientele, get social media and marketing advice for salons, and build a salon culture that attracts and retains thriving stylists.
More from the Salon S.O.S. Business Building Resource Library:
Click here to access our entire salon digital marketing academy: https://www.salonsos.ca/digital-marketing-academy
Email info@salonsos.ca to get in contact with us. We’re always here to help support you with salon business advice!
If you listen to any of the following shows, we're sure you'll love ours too! Profitable Salon Owner Podcast, Grow my Salon Business Podcast with Antony Whitaker, Thriving Stylist Podcast with Britt Seva, Summ It Up Podcast, Social Beauty Makers Podcast, The Hairdresser Strong Show Podcast, The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, Hair Love Radio Podcast, Salon Owner Collective Podcast.
This episode blends artistry, leadership, and business education for salons into one inspiring, actionable conversation and we're so thankful to Erica for sharing such amazing insight! Make sure to give her a follow on Instagram @ericakeelen_studio_sage
The Loyalty Program Collab is a fresh, innovative take on loyalty program best practices for salons, one that combines social media and local partnerships to help you attract new audiences while rewarding the loyal ones you already have.
In this Digital Debrief episode, Scott and Sarah are breaking down how to turn your salon loyalty program into a full-blown marketing engine that boosts your SEO, strengthens your community presence, and helps you climb Google rankings.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Tune in to discover how collaboration, creativity, and connection can transform your salon loyalty program into your strongest digital marketing strategy yet!
For your daily dose of digital marketing for salons, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit this link to explore: https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o.s
This podcast is for salon owners and salon professionals who want to learn proven ways to grow their salon business, learn valuable salon leadership skills, boost their brand, grow their clientele, get social media and marketing advice for salons, and build a salon culture that attracts and retains thriving stylists.
More from the Salon S.O.S. Business Building Resource Library:
Click here to access our entire salon digital marketing academy: https://www.salonsos.ca/digital-marketing-academy
Email info@salonsos.ca to get in contact with us. We’re always here to help support you with salon business advice!
If you listen to any of the following shows, we're sure you'll love ours too! Profitable Salon Owner Podcast, Grow my Salon Business Podcast with Antony Whitaker, Thriving Stylist Podcast with Britt Seva, Summ It Up Podcast, Social Beauty Makers Podcast, The Hairdresser Strong Show Podcast, The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, Hair Love Radio Podcast, Salon Owner Collective Podcast.
For the first time ever, we’re seeing real numbers that reveal how salons across the country are truly performing... and the results might surprise you.
In this episode of The Salon Scoop, Scott sits down with Alain Audet from Salon Interactive to unpack insights from their groundbreaking new industry project, the first of its kind to measure what’s really happening behind the chair nationwide.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How your salon really stacks up against others across the industry
Where growth is happening fastest, and where salons are losing traction
Which performance benchmarks and key metrics matter most for long-term success
If you’ve ever wondered how your salon compares to industry averages, what’s driving industry growth (salon services vs. salon retail), or where the next big opportunity for growth lies, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for, because it’s based on REAL data! You can inquire about your own access to the data at www.thekimreport.com or follow @saloninteractive.
This conversation is packed with business advice for salon owners, business education for salon pros, and proven salon growth strategies you can use to strengthen your business today. Tune in now to see how your salon really measures up, and where the biggest opportunities for growth are waiting.
For your daily dose of digital marketing for salons, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit this link to explore: https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o.s
This podcast is for salon owners and salon professionals who want to learn proven ways to grow their salon business, learn valuable salon leadership skills, boost their brand, grow their clientele, get social media and marketing advice for salons, and build a salon culture that attracts and retains thriving stylists.
More from the Salon S.O.S. Business Building Resource Library:
Click here to access our entire salon digital marketing academy: https://www.salonsos.ca/digital-marketing-academy
Email info@salonsos.ca to get in contact with us. We’re always here to help support you with salon business advice!
If you listen to any of the following shows, we're sure you'll love ours too! Profitable Salon Owner Podcast, Grow my Salon Business Podcast with Antony Whitaker, Thriving Stylist Podcast with Britt Seva, Summ It Up Podcast, Social Beauty Makers Podcast, The Hairdresser Strong Show Podcast, The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, Hair Love Radio Podcast, Salon Owner Collective Podcast.
Feeling stuck on what to post on your salon or spa social media? You’re not alone. Many salon owners and salon professionals struggle with creating content that feels consistent, engaging, and purposeful without sounding repetitive.
In this Digital Debrief episode, Scott and Sarah break down how social media for salons can be simplified by using content pillars and evergreen content. You’ll discover how to build a framework that balances education, inspiration, promotion, and entertainment so your posts connect with both existing and potential clients. Plus, you’ll learn how to create reusable, timeless content that saves you time while keeping your salon marketing strategies consistent and impactful.
Whether you’re focusing on Instagram for salons or improving your salon's overall digital marketing strategy, this episode will help you finally feel in control of your content calendar.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to use content pillars as your framework for salon social media
Why evergreen content is key for saving time and boosting engagement
How to recycle and repurpose content for multiple platforms
Simple social media best practices for salons to avoid feeling repetitive
How digital marketing strategies for salons tie content, SEO, and loyalty together
Practical marketing advice for salon owners to keep your feed consistent and impactful
For your daily dose of digital marketing for salons, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit this link to explore: https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o.s
This podcast is for salon owners and salon professionals who want to learn proven ways to grow their salon business, learn valuable salon leadership skills, boost their brand, grow their clientele, get social media and marketing advice for salons, and build a salon culture that attracts and retains thriving stylists.
More from the Salon S.O.S. Business Building Resource Library:
Click here to access our entire salon digital marketing academy: https://www.salonsos.ca/digital-marketing-academy
Email info@salonsos.ca to get in contact with us. We’re always here to help support you with salon business advice!
If you listen to any of the following shows, we're sure you'll love ours too! Profitable Salon Owner Podcast, Grow my Salon Business Podcast with Antony Whitaker, Thriving Stylist Podcast with Britt Seva, Summ It Up Podcast, Social Beauty Makers Podcast, The Hairdresser Strong Show Podcast, The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, Hair Love Radio Podcast, Salon Owner Collective Podcast.
In today’s Pro Perspectives episode, we ask some of the best in the biz: "What is the most rewarding part of being a salon professional?!” Their insights will help you connect with your own WHY and remind you of why you got into this amazing industry in the first place!
HUGE shoutout to our amazing guests for sharing their insights!
Make sure to give them a follow on Instagram:
Brayden Pelletier: @justbhair
Jamie DiGrazia : @jamiedigrazia
George Garcia: @georgegarciardken
Natalie Ruzgis: @natalieruzgis
Sean Godard : @seangodard
For your daily dose of digital marketing for salons, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit this link to explore: https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o.s
This podcast is for salon owners and salon professionals who want to learn proven ways to grow their salon business, learn valuable salon leadership skills, boost their brand, grow their clientele, get social media and marketing advice for salons, and build a salon culture that attracts and retains thriving stylists.
More from the Salon S.O.S. Business Building Resource Library:
Click here to access our entire salon digital marketing academy: https://www.salonsos.ca/digital-marketing-academy
Email info@salonsos.ca to get in contact with us. We’re always here to help support you with salon business advice!
If you listen to any of the following shows, we're sure you'll love ours too! Profitable Salon Owner Podcast, Grow my Salon Business Podcast with Antony Whitaker, Thriving Stylist Podcast with Britt Seva, Summ It Up Podcast, Social Beauty Makers Podcast, The Hairdresser Strong Show Podcast, The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, Hair Love Radio Podcast, Salon Owner Collective Podcast.
Few things disrupt a salon or spa day faster than a no-show. Lost time, lost income, and a schedule that suddenly falls apart—it’s frustrating and costly for every salon owner and service provider. While you can’t eliminate no-shows completely, you can set up smart systems to minimize them.
In this Digital Debrief episode, Scott and Sarah share business advice for salon owners on how to balance professionalism with client care. From clear policies to simple tech solutions, you’ll discover how to protect your schedule while still providing an exceptional guest experience.
Whether it’s requiring deposits for big-ticket services, adding cancellation policies to your salon website, or using automated reminders and loyalty programs to keep clients engaged, these strategies are must-knows for any salon professional looking to reduce no-shows and increase consistency.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The no-show prevention systems every salon should have in place
How to write and communicate effective cancellation policies
Smart ways to use your salon website and social media for salons to set expectations
How loyalty program best practices for salons can improve client accountability
Why deposits, reminders, and boundaries are essential to strong salon marketing strategies
Practical, real-world business education for salons to protect your time and income
For your daily dose of digital marketing for salons, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit this link to explore: https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o.s
This podcast is for salon owners and salon professionals who want to learn proven ways to grow their salon business, learn valuable salon leadership skills, boost their brand, grow their clientele, get social media and marketing advice for salons, and build a salon culture that attracts and retains thriving stylists.
More from the Salon S.O.S. Business Building Resource Library:
Click here to access our entire salon digital marketing academy: https://www.salonsos.ca/digital-marketing-academy
Email info@salonsos.ca to get in contact with us. We’re always here to help support you with salon business advice!
If you listen to any of the following shows, we're sure you'll love ours too! Profitable Salon Owner Podcast, Grow my Salon Business Podcast with Antony Whitaker, Thriving Stylist Podcast with Britt Seva, Summ It Up Podcast, Social Beauty Makers Podcast, The Hairdresser Strong Show Podcast, The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, Hair Love Radio Podcast, Salon Owner Collective Podcast.
We sat down with the amazing Morgan Thomas in her episode "The Blueprint to Blowing Up on Instagram" to discuss her amazing career in our industry and the important role that social media plays. If you haven't listened to that episode yet, stop what you're doing and scroll back!
It is clear that Morgan is a master of her trade that has a wealth of knowledge, but in this episode, we're getting to know a different side of her! Dive into this episode to hear Morgan go through our rapid fire questioning of everything you never knew you wanted to know. Huge thanks to Morgan Thomas for sitting down with us for this fun segment, make sure to give her a follow on Instagram @jadebeautyco
For your daily dose of digital marketing for salons, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit this link to explore: https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o.s
Your salon or spa website isn’t just a digital brochure, it’s your most powerful marketing tool and the key to filling your books! But here’s the truth: even the most gorgeous websites can be completely invisible online if you’re making common SEO mistakes.
In this Digital Debrief episode, Scott and Sarah break down why SEO for hair salons is the hidden driver behind new client bookings, how Google decides if your site shows up when someone searches “best hair salon near me,” and the overlooked errors that could be hurting your Google rankings. The best part? These mistakes are fixable, and the payoff is massive. With the right marketing strategies for salons, your website can become a client-generating machine, without relying on paid ads.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The biggest SEO mistakes salon owners make on their websites
How to implement Google rankings best practices for salons
Why a strong website matters just as much as social media for salons
How to connect your salon marketing strategies across SEO, social, and loyalty programs
Actionable digital marketing advice for salons to increase visibility and client bookings
For your daily dose of digital marketing for salons, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit this link to explore: https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o
Social media CAN be the fastest path to a fully booked chair…IF you know how to use it!
In this episode of The Salon Scoop, Scott sits down with industry legend Michael Cole to uncover proven social media strategies for salon owners and stylists that help you grow your salon business quickly and boost revenue.
After years of testing, researching and refining, Michael has cracked the code on how salon professionals can use social media to fill their books quicker than ever. Today, he shares a proven step-by-step approach to using Instagram and Facebook for salons in a way that is helping stylists connect with new people online and turning them into loyal clients faster than ever before. If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels online and start seeing real results behind the chair, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
If you’re ready to stop guessing what to post and start building a clientele that grows itself, this episode is your blueprint.
Huge thanks to the incredible @michaelcoleinspires for sharing his expertise and passion for helping salon professionals thrive!
For your daily dose of digital marketing for salons, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit this link to explore: https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o.s
This podcast is for salon owners and salon professionals who want to learn proven ways to grow their salon business, learn valuable salon leadership skills, boost their brand, grow their clientele, get social media and marketing advice for salons, and build a salon culture that attracts and retains thriving stylists.
More from the Salon S.O.S. Business Building Resource Library:
Click here to access our entire salon digital marketing academy: https://www.salonsos.ca/digital-marketing-academy
Email info@salonsos.ca to get in contact with us. We’re always here to help support you with salon business advice!
If you listen to any of the following shows, we're sure you'll love ours too! Profitable Salon Owner Podcast, Grow my Salon Business Podcast with Antony Whitaker, Thriving Stylist Podcast with Britt Seva, Summ It Up Podcast, Social Beauty Makers Podcast, The Hairdresser Strong Show Podcast, The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, Hair Love Radio Podcast, Salon Owner Collective Podcast.
Your salon’s Instagram isn’t just for pretty hair pics anymore, it’s your storefront! In this Digital Debrief episode, Scott and Sarah are breaking down the rise of social media commerce and what it means for salon pros in 2025. With over half of social media users buying directly through platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, ignoring this shift is like turning away walk-in clients. If you’re ready to meet your clients where they already scroll and boost sales without the awkward pitch, this episode is a MUST LISTEN!
For your daily dose of digital marketing, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit the link below to explore. https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o.s
What if you could serve 25 clients a day and still have time to build an empire? On this episode of The Salon Scoop, we’re sitting down with the iconic Candy Shaw, aka The Balay Lama®. As NAHA’s Educator of the Year and a top balayage educator, Candy has scaled her salon, trained thousands of stylists, and built a brand that reaches over 110K online. We dive into her secrets for creating a salon culture that works for you, mindset shifts that fuel massive growth, and why “under-promise and over-deliver” is her formula for success. Plus, hear how she harnessed the power of social media and digital strategy to turn her passion into a global movement. If you’re ready to grow beyond the chair and see what’s truly possible, this episode will blow your mind.
Huge thanks goes out to the amazing Candy Shaw for sharing such important and valuable insight! Make sure to follow her on Instagram @thebalaylama
For your daily dose of digital marketing, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit the link below to explore. https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o.s
In 2025, the most powerful marketing tool for salons isn’t a glossy ad or even the trendiest reel, it’s your clients! User-Generated Content (UGC) builds trust, drives engagement, and acts as authentic word-of-mouth in the digital age. In this Digital Debrief episode, Scott and Sarah dive into why UGC outshines traditional marketing, how to encourage clients to share their salon experiences, and smart ways to showcase that content to grow your brand. If you’ve ever wished your happy clients could spread the word for you, this is your blueprint!
For your daily dose of digital marketing, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit the link below to explore. https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o.s
We could not be more excited to have the amazing Sarajane Maples back once again for our Rapid Fire segment! She shared so much insight and valuable information in her episode, Booked, Busy, and Building a Brand on Instagram (if you haven’t caught that yet, make sure to put it on queue!) but today, we’re keeping things light and asking this industry powerhouse everything you never knew you needed to know about her!
Huge thanks to Sarajane once again for being such an incredible guest, make sure to follow her on IG @blushandmane
For your daily dose of digital marketing, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit the link below to explore. https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o.s
A thriving salon doesn’t just attract clients, it attracts the right people to join your team. In this Digital Debrief episode, Scott and Sarah explore how strong salon culture goes beyond “good vibes” and becomes the backbone of your business. From defining values and fostering collaboration to creating an environment where stylists and staff feel supported, we’ll share how to build a culture that keeps your team inspired, your clients loyal, and your brand reputation on point!For your daily dose of digital marketing, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit the link below to explore. https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o.s
Ready to take your salon’s Instagram from zero to hero!? In this episode of The Salon Scoop, we have the amazing Morgan Thomas spilling the exact strategies she used to go viral, attract dream clients, and grow her business faster than ever on IG!From content ideas that blow up your reach to engagement tactics that actually work, you’ll walk away ready to dominate your feed, and your bookings. HUGE thanks goes out to Morgan Thomas for sharing such amazing insight, make sure to check her out on Instagram @jadebeautycoFor your daily dose of digital marketing, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit the link below to explore. https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o.s
\While digital marketing is crucial for attracting new salon clients, it’s not the whole story. In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on a common mistake we see, especially among new stylists relying only on social media to build a clientele. From seasoned pros who swear by referrals to new stylists with the prettiest IG feeds but empty books, we’re here to set the record straight. The real magic happens when digital marketing meets personal, in-person connection. Tune in as we break down how to strike the right balance, market with intention, and attract the right clients, not just more followers. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to grow to the next level, this episode will help you shift from marketing overwhelm to real-world results!
For your daily dose of digital marketing, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit the link below to explore. https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o.s
In today’s Pro Perspectives episode, we ask some of the best in the biz: "What’s the most underrated skill that every salon professional should have?!” Their responses might surprise you and inspire all salon pros, new and experienced, to sharpen up on new skills to take their career to new heights! HUGE shoutout to our amazing guests for sharing their insights! Make sure to give them a follow on Instagram:
Brayden Pelletier: @justbhair
Jamie DiGrazia : @jamiedigrazia
George Garcia: @georgegarciardken
Sean Godard : @seangodard
For your daily dose of digital marketing, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit the link below to explore. https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o.s
Gone are the days of cookie-cutter career paths in the salon world. In this episode, we’re diving into the evolution of salon career models and why the old “commission salon forever” approach just isn’t cutting it anymore. Join Sarah, Salon S.O.S. content specialist and salon owner, as she shares the real-life journey of shifting her team to a hybrid salon structure. From commission to chair rental to full independence, today’s stylists want flexibility, and hybrid models are stepping up in a big way. Tune in to hear how Sarah and her business partner created a supportive environment that meets stylists exactly where they’re at, keeps top talent, and redefines what long-term success in the salon industry can look like! If you're a salon owner, leader, or stylist wondering what’s next, you won’t want to miss this episode!
For your daily dose of digital marketing, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit the link below to explore. https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o.s
We're SO excited to have the incredible Robert Sugden back once again for our Rapid Fire segment! Robert shared SO much insight and information on his episode "Influencing the Influence: Turning followers into clients" (if you haven't already listened, make sure to put it on queue!) but today, we're keeping things light and asking this industry powerhouse everything you wanted to know about him that you DON'T see on IG! Huge thanks to Robert once again for being such an amazing guest, make sure to give him a follow on Instagram @robertsugdenhair
For your daily dose of digital marketing, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit the link below to explore. https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o.s
As a salon professional, your to-do list is never short, between running a team, delivering amazing guest experiences, managing inventory, and staying ahead of trends, it’s easy to let marketing slide down the priority list. That’s where AI tools like ChatGPT come in, not to replace your creativity, but to amplify it.
In this episode, we’re diving into how AI can become your behind-the-scenes marketing assistant, helping you craft a personalized brand voice, generate content that actually sounds like you, and save serious time on repetitive tasks. You’ll learn how to set up an AI that knows your audience, speaks your language, and helps you stay consistent across platforms, even on your busiest weeks. If you’ve ever wished for a marketing clone, this episode is a great place to start!
We've created a FREE AI Brand Voice Starter Guide that you can fill in and use to get the best results. Visit www.salonsos.ca/brand-voice-freebie to get yours now!
For your daily dose of digital marketing, give us a follow on TikTok and Instagram @salon.s.o.s OR if you want to check out the video recording of this episode, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel! Hit the link below to explore. https://www.youtube.com/@salon.s.o.s