Full Transcript for Building A Value Driven Salon That Respects Your Time with Rachel Babb, Honey Salon

00:04:59.959 But yeah, it's just been a really great journey of improving the structure to support the career that I've been looking for. 00:05:00.360 --> 00:05:01.560 Nice, nice. 00:05:01.800 --> 00:05:05.000 Now, kind of wanted to get into what's what separates you from your competition. 00:05:05.160 --> 00:05:10.280 What services and experiences make honey different from a traditional salon that somebody may go to? 00:05:10.600 --> 00:05:18.280 Yeah, I feel like we tend to focus more on natural colors to like the blonding, the brunettes, redheads, things like that. 00:05:18.439 --> 00:05:23.560 We do it in a way that, like, if people want a more high maintenance look, we can definitely accommodate that. 00:05:23.720 --> 00:05:30.439 But we typically do it in a way where you're not necessarily needing to be in the salon until like more of the eight to 12 week mark. 00:05:30.519 --> 00:05:36.680 And then we have people that push out past that, that just go, you know, three times a year or twice a year. 00:05:37.079 --> 00:05:38.280 And yeah, yep. 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:41.079 Sorry, I lost my train of thought there for a second. 00:05:42.199 --> 00:05:42.600 That's okay. 00:05:42.680 --> 00:05:42.920 That's okay. 00:05:43.240 --> 00:05:46.040 Um, we we also have, sorry, I'm gonna pick up there. 00:05:46.600 --> 00:05:50.280 We also tend to, like you said earlier, not jump on board with the trends. 00:05:50.439 --> 00:05:55.400 So we really put a lot of time, focus, and education and things before we add new services. 00:05:55.480 --> 00:06:00.759 And that's important to us so that we're when we add a new service offering is something that's gonna last. 00:06:00.920 --> 00:06:06.199 It's not gonna be on the menu and then something changes, and we're like, oh, out with the old, in with the new. 00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:09.000 And that provides consistency for our clients. 00:06:09.319 --> 00:06:10.040 Nice, nice. 00:06:10.120 --> 00:06:10.759 I love it. 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:15.639 So, Rachel, I know you have described honey as team-based and value driven. 00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:20.040 So, what outdated salon industry norm were you most determined to change? 00:06:20.360 --> 00:06:24.600 So, I take that booked and busy mindset, and I'm kind of shutting it down, right? 00:06:24.759 --> 00:06:27.959 Like, you don't have to work 12 hour days to make money. 00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:30.600 You don't have to work every single night to make money. 00:06:30.759 --> 00:06:34.439 You don't have to work seven days a week or weekends or this or that. 00:06:34.680 --> 00:06:39.480 I got myself to a three-day work week where I didn't even work weekends and I was successful. 00:06:39.720 --> 00:06:46.519 So I really think it's all about how you can make our industry work for you and your lifestyle. 00:06:46.840 --> 00:06:49.959 And I really, really honor that work-life balance. 00:06:50.120 --> 00:06:57.160 We do collaborative scheduling where I sit down with a new

hire and we decide on a schedule together that works best for them. 00:06:57.480 --> 00:07:00.920 And then that, you know, oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, my brain fog. 00:07:02.519 --> 00:07:03.000 Sorry. 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:09.400 But we work on a collaborative schedule together and we set that schedule, and that's what they follow from there. 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:10.920 And I do my best. 00:07:11.160 --> 00:07:16.840 I would say, I think it's number one in our culture code is when you're at honey, like be all in and present. 00:07:17.079 --> 00:07:20.519 And that's because whenever they're at work, I want them all in and present. 00:07:20.600 --> 00:07:29.480 But whenever they're at home, I'm doing my very best to never have to bother them so that they have that work-life balance where they can do their job and do what they love and do it well. 00:07:29.639 --> 00:07:40.199 But then they get to leave the salon and let me carry the rest until they like are back in for their next ship and get to do whatever they want to do with their free time and live their lives. 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:41.720 Okay, okay. 00:07:41.800 --> 00:07:42.199 I love it. 00:07:42.280 --> 00:07:42.840 I love it. 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:46.439 Yeah, and that's huge because I mean, you know, especially since COVID, right? 00:07:46.680 --> 00:07:54.519 A lot of people went to work from home and work-life balance has changed so much within the last few years, it's become more important than ever, I feel. 00:07:54.759 --> 00:07:55.079 Yeah. 00:07:55.319 --> 00:07:58.199 Not sure if you've seen that since COVID, pretty much. 00:07:58.519 --> 00:07:59.959 Yeah, no, I definitely have. 00:08:00.040 --> 00:08:02.120 And I think it's, I mean, just mental health too. 00:08:02.199 --> 00:08:08.600 I've worked so many salon jobs where I didn't have consistency in scheduling, and it threw my whole life out of black. 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:11.879 It was like you work two days and then you're off one, and then you work four. 00:08:12.040 --> 00:08:15.319 And it's like you never have a set schedule routine. 00:08:15.480 --> 00:08:18.280 So that's something I like to keep for my team. 00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:23.639 I want them to feel stable and secure in their work life and in their personal life. 00:08:23.959 --> 00:08:24.439 Yeah, yeah. 00:08:24.600 --> 00:08:30.439 It'd be nice to know that, hey, I always get such and such days off, so I know I can schedule things in advance. 00:08:30.519 --> 00:08:36.120 Like you can make plans with family and make friends, if make plans with uh friends because you know when you're going to be off. 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:42.039 And you can't do that when you're flip-flopping, you know, I got a Tuesday off this week, I got a Wednesday off this week, and it's all over the place. 00:08:42.120 --> 00:08:47.399 So And I've noticed too, it helps my employees, like their productivity and them wanting to come to work. 00:08:47.639 --> 00:08:53.559 My first employee, I think she took one year off, or I'm sorry, one day off in her first year. 00:08:53.720 --> 00:08:55.480 And I'm pretty sure I had to send her home. 00:08:55.559 --> 00:08:58.120 Like she was trying to work sick, and I'm like, no, go home. 00:08:58.279 --> 00:09:01.079 So, like when it's that's why I like being collaborative. 00:09:01.159 --> 00:09:11.000 Like when you, when I let them pick the hours that they want to work, they're gonna want to show up for them because they picked them versus okay, you have to work every day from this time to this time. 00:09:11.239 --> 00:09:18.599 Clients will come, they'll they'll find the time, just having the availability that works best for my stylist is what I've found to work well. 00:09:18.839 --> 00:09:20.279 Yeah, no, totally agree with that. 00:09:20.439 --> 00:09:25.639 Now, you know, now let's get into, you know, kind of a little bit of vulnerability kind of in your business and everything. 00:09:25.799 --> 00:09:27.799 So once you be as honest as you can on this. 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:32.279 So, what would you say is the biggest challenge your business is facing right now? 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:40.599 I would say our biggest challenge, we're kind of in a transitional period right now. 00:09:40.839 --> 00:09:42.679 We're right under three years. 00:09:42.919 --> 00:09:46.759 We have a few stylists that have been with us for a long period of time. 00:09:46.919 --> 00:09:52.039 You know, we've had some life situations take other people and move them to different places. 00:09:52.279 --> 00:09:54.599 So we're in the hiring phase. 00:09:54.839 --> 00:10:06.759 And with that comes a little bit of shift in atmosphere, I would say, because everybody is unique that we hire and that we bring in, and their personality helps shape like a part of what honey is. 00:10:06.919 --> 00:10:13.479 So when people leave, whether it's you know, good or bad or whatever, that takes them away, it's like a little part of us is leaving too. 00:10:13.639 --> 00:10:18.919 And we have to kind of find that new normal of what our salon looks like without that person. 00:10:19.079 --> 00:10:24.679 And then someone new comes in and we've got to figure out how they fit into everything. 00:10:24.839 --> 00:10:27.079 And it's going really, really well. 00:10:27.719 --> 00:10:32.519 But I think that from a business standpoint, it's been a little challenging. 00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:39.719 Hiring takes time and things are in the works, but it's not like one stylist leaves, the next day another stylist is in. 00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:41.879 There's time lags between. 00:10:42.199 --> 00:10:53.319 So making sure we have the availability for our current client is important to me and has been a little bit of a challenge, but it's one that now that I'm experiencing, I'm planning for already. 00:10:53.479 --> 00:10:56.199 Like our baseline for hiring is going to be a little bit higher. 00:10:56.439 --> 00:11:01.000 So that when we

do lose a person for whatever reason, then it doesn't set us back. 00:11:01.239 --> 00:11:02.759 So yeah. 00:11:03.239 --> 00:11:05.079 Okay, okay, okay. 00:11:05.399 --> 00:11:11.319 Now, what do you believe is preventing the business from reaching its next level or its ultimate potential at this point? 00:11:11.959 --> 00:11:12.839 I think time. 00:11:12.919 --> 00:11:18.039 It just takes time for the right people to get in and to find their groove. 00:11:18.199 --> 00:11:21.319 It takes time for us to establish a reputation. 00:11:21.559 --> 00:11:24.839 It takes time for, you know, the word to get out about us. 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:27.479 We're still, we're so new under three years. 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:31.319 And so the the time is really, really it. 00:11:31.399 --> 00:11:32.919 You can't speed it up. 00:11:33.719 --> 00:11:34.759 But that's helpful. 00:11:34.919 --> 00:11:41.319 What's helping us with that is we've had, you know, several different local voting, different awards going on and things like that. 00:11:41.479 --> 00:11:44.039 Our name has been thrown out for different nomination rounds. 00:11:44.199 --> 00:11:47.799 We're defining our title for best of West Virginia weddings this year. 00:11:47.959 --> 00:11:49.719 We've won the two previous years. 00:11:49.959 --> 00:12:03.799 And so I'm hopeful that, like through that, through our social media, through our client testimonials, like just people talking about their experience and supporting us by sharing our work, like our name will get out there. 00:12:03.959 --> 00:12:08.439 And I truly think that people will see our value the longer that we exist. 00:12:09.719 --> 00:12:11.159 Yeah, no, that's definitely true. 00:12:11.239 --> 00:12:11.959 I think so. 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:13.399 So what do you? 00:12:13.719 --> 00:12:22.199 I mean, you know, and I and I guess you could kind of think of this as kind of hypothetical a little bit, but you know, let's say if you could let's see, how am I how how should I put this? 00:12:22.359 --> 00:12:24.439 Let's say if we talked in 90 days, right? 00:12:24.599 --> 00:12:34.279 Let's say if we talked again in 90 days, you came on the podcast, and I said in 90 days, you need to fix something with uh in your company, huge within your company within the next 90 days. 00:12:34.439 --> 00:12:35.799 And we talk in the next 90 days. 00:12:37.079 --> 00:12:39.719 And when we're recording, we'll be about Halloween, around Halloween, let's say. 00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:45.879 What do you what do you think realistically you could fix in 90 days if you if you were kind of challenged to do so? 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:46.359 Yes. 00:12:46.599 --> 00:12:50.599 Actually, okay, I can I like that that helped my mindset of the question a little bit. 00:12:50.919 --> 00:12:52.120 Our front desk. 00:12:52.359 --> 00:13:01.239 So one of the transitions that we've had is our front desk girl was incredible and she's gone back to school, and it's just too much for

her to work for us and go to school. 00:13:01.319 --> 00:13:04.039 So obviously she is prioritizing her education. 00:13:04.359 --> 00:13:10.919 But now having like rehiring for front desk, training properly training the front desk person. 00:13:11.079 --> 00:13:12.679 My last one was my first one. 00:13:12.919 --> 00:13:14.120 I did not know what I was doing. 00:13:14.199 --> 00:13:21.959 You know, we did the best that we could, but I've learned a lot and I now can train the next person who's coming in so much better because of that. 00:13:22.199 --> 00:13:34.039 So finding a front desk person, having them trained, and letting them see the value of what they do for our team because they truly are a support, not just for us, but for our clients. 00:13:34.199 --> 00:13:42.359 And having that constant line of communication for clients, I think would be so benefit beneficial for the business. 00:13:43.239 --> 00:13:44.519 Okay, okay. 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:49.159 Now, Rachel, what is something you personally had to change for your business to grow? 00:13:49.319 --> 00:13:52.839 Like something about maybe your personality type or in your personal life. 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:55.479 Have you had to do anything to have to make your business grow? 00:13:55.799 --> 00:13:56.359 Oh, yes. 00:13:56.599 --> 00:13:58.679 I've had to do a lot of self-discovery. 00:13:58.759 --> 00:14:01.559 I've had to do, I mean, a lot of education. 00:14:01.799 --> 00:14:04.519 I actually did my yoga teacher training. 00:14:04.599 --> 00:14:10.759 Like I got my yoga training certification last year, and that was incredible for my mindset. 00:14:10.919 --> 00:14:13.000 I'm not a very patient person. 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:15.399 I tend to be impulsive and excited. 00:14:15.479 --> 00:14:20.120 And it's like, I want this, and this is how I'm gonna get it, and this is how I'm gonna get there, and we're gonna get there now. 00:14:20.279 --> 00:14:22.919 And it's like, it doesn't work like that. 00:14:23.479 --> 00:14:28.039 And so I've had to learn patience more than anything. 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:30.759 I've had to learn to trust. 00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:40.519 I've had people come and go, whether they've worked for me or they've collaborated with me or they've interviewed with me, and I thought it was gonna go one way and then it goes another way. 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:43.239 And it's so disappointing in that moment. 00:14:43.399 --> 00:14:47.159 But then I keep telling myself something else that's a better fit is coming. 00:14:47.319 --> 00:14:49.079 And every time that's come true. 00:14:49.319 --> 00:14:51.799 So I've had to kind of build that trust there. 00:14:52.199 --> 00:14:56.519 And then sorry, I trained up that again. 00:14:57.159 --> 00:14:59.399 Oh, just with myself. 00:15:02.199 --> 00:15:16.279 It was easy to practice what I was preaching on an independent level, but now it's like I preach work-life balance and sustainability and being healthy and you know, all of these different things. 00:15:16.359 --> 00:15:29.879 But then here I am scrambling for my business, not giving myself time to recharge, not skipping meals because I'm running to meetings, or grabbing fast food because it's convenient, or you know, all of these different things. 00:15:29.959 --> 00:15:46.039 And so it's like my business is just a constant reminder of like who I want to be, I guess would be a good way to put that, and what I'm working for, like to create for other people, I need to also create for myself. 00:15:46.839 --> 00:15:58.599 And that's sometimes challenging because you want to prioritize the business, and it's my baby, and it's fun to work with, and like it's incredible, and it's growing, and it's so much fun, but it's like I've got to let it breathe and I've got to take time for myself too. 00:15:59.319 --> 00:15:59.559 Yeah. 00:15:59.719 --> 00:16:00.439 No, I love that. 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:00.839 I love that. 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:01.639 Thank you for that answer. 00:16:01.719 --> 00:16:03.879 That's a that's a great, very vulnerable answer. 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:08.839 Now, how about how many hours a week are you working in and out of the business right now? 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:09.559 Would you say? 00:16:09.959 --> 00:16:11.319 That's hard to track, I feel like. 00:16:11.479 --> 00:16:15.799 I like to say I have long days, but they but I have gaps in them. 00:16:15.959 --> 00:16:17.879 I'm no longer working behind the chair. 00:16:17.959 --> 00:16:20.679 I probably I have a handful of clients. 00:16:20.839 --> 00:16:24.120 I mean, maybe three to five a week that I'll do. 00:16:24.359 --> 00:16:30.839 So my hours behind the chair are like 15 hours or less, more likely around five, I would say. 00:16:31.079 --> 00:16:34.839 Other than that, is meetings, planning, strategizing. 00:16:35.079 --> 00:16:36.759 I have the bridal side of the business. 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:38.120 I'm actually very excited. 00:16:38.199 --> 00:16:42.439 It should be more so in the works and out there by the time this podcast's released. 00:16:42.599 --> 00:16:54.039 But we are a bridal-based hair salon and we advertise that way, but I've made some shifts and changes, and we're gonna be representing that side of the business as the honey bridal collective instead of just honey bridal. 00:16:54.199 --> 00:16:57.879 And so that's a big project that I'm working on expanding in the background. 00:16:58.039 --> 00:17:01.479 I've got some other, some other secret things in the works. 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:04.519 And so all these things take time and preparation. 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:11.160 I would say I'm working 40 hours, and sometimes that goes up to 60, but I try not to let it. 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:13.240 Okay, okay. 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:14.839 All right. 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:23.480 Now, now in this next question here, you know, yeah, I want you to be again kind of vulnerable, but what would you say is your greatest

strength as a business owner? 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:35.160 I think my understanding of being a leader versus a manager, like, I mean, my my team called me their boss. 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:36.920 Like, I can't help that verbiage. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:40.279 Like, I don't particularly like it, but I don't know what else to tell them to call me. 00:17:40.360 --> 00:17:41.799 And that is what my title is. 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:42.840 I am their boss. 00:17:43.080 --> 00:17:57.000 But it's like I see myself as a leader, and like things that I teach them in the salon on a work level, I know can also be applied other areas of their lives. 00:17:58.039 --> 00:18:02.440 Even just being core values driven, like and talking about them all the time. 00:18:02.600 --> 00:18:11.560 Like each stylist is gonna have a different way of how they perceive life and they're gonna have their own personal set of core values, just like everybody else. 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:20.039 But not everybody takes the time to think about that, like why they're here, what they believe, how they want to treat people, how they want to show up. 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:28.680 And I have the opportunity to like bring that awareness to them, to show them, like, you know, we approach everything with kindness. 00:18:28.840 --> 00:18:29.640 Well, what does that mean? 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:32.039 That doesn't mean we're just nice to each other all the time. 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:41.960 It means like when we have an issue, we're gonna address it and we're gonna be respectful and we're gonna be kind, but we're gonna be direct and we're gonna be transparent and we're gonna figure out how to move past it. 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:45.560 And I don't feel like that's something that I've ever found in a workplace. 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:53.640 I've found that in personal relationships, but in workplaces, it's been more like the business is right and you're wrong, and that's just how it is. 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:54.759 Like, you know. 00:18:55.000 --> 00:19:02.920 So I think that the fact that I am more I am transparent, I'm very honest with them. 00:19:03.080 --> 00:19:10.360 I listen, like I'm not gonna get walked all over, but there is room for their voice to be heard. 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.080 Okay. 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:11.640 I love that. 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:13.080 It's a nice balance to have. 00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:14.440 Because you know, it's tough. 00:19:14.600 --> 00:19:15.880 It's tough sometimes, you know. 00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:24.360 They they always say, Oh, you, you know, you don't want to be their friend, but you also want to be their boss, but you also don't want to be too much of their boss to the point where they don't want to come to you and tell you things. 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:27.960 It's a tough, tough balance to, you know, to straddle. 00:19:29.160 --> 00:19:33.480 Yeah, I talk a lot about the humanness of our job. 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:41.720 Like, you know, we are in our job, we're dealing with different people who are bringing things in, different emotions, and we are at a 10 all the time. 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:45.240 And then we're also working physically as much as our brains are working. 00:19:45.400 --> 00:19:49.400 And so it's like, oh my gosh, and there it is now, my brain fog is happening again. 00:19:49.560 --> 00:19:51.799 I am so sorry, this is embarrassing. 00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:54.039 What were we just talking about? 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:59.720 No, about your your leadership skills, kind of that you need to, that you said you need to improve. 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:11.560 Yeah, so I just think that I just think that like working with them, giving them the opportunity to be heard really helps me shape where the business is going. 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:14.840 I think in business, I thought it was gonna be very clear-cut. 00:20:15.080 --> 00:20:18.440 Here's the path, this is where I'm working toward, this is where I'm gonna end up. 00:20:18.600 --> 00:20:24.120 But there's so many different factors that have changed how honey has grown in ways that I couldn't imagine. 00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:26.519 And so much good has come from that. 00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:34.360 And a lot of that has come from listening to my team and what they need so that they can continue to grow and thrive. 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:37.799 And I think that's where the level of respect comes from. 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:42.519 It's not, do I want to be their friend or not, or do I want to be their boss or not? 00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:47.560 It's like this is this is your job, this is what we do, this is how we do it. 00:20:47.720 --> 00:21:02.200 Like, we're all people, things are gonna happen, but we're gonna do our best to like help ourselves be kind to ourselves, help others, be kind to others, and like make our job the best that we can every single day. 00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:03.240 I love it. 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:04.120 I love it. 00:21:04.360 --> 00:21:06.200 And I and I I did say something there. 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:08.680 I I misspoke actually, because that's actually the next question. 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:10.360 So I was actually looking at the next question. 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:13.240 But so on the flip side of it, we talked about your strength there. 00:21:13.320 --> 00:21:18.680 So on the flip side, what is one leadership or business skill you know you still need to improve on? 00:21:19.320 --> 00:21:24.120 Um I would say this is tough because you I know you gotta be boneral. 00:21:24.360 --> 00:21:25.640 It's always tough to rate yourself, right? 00:21:25.880 --> 00:21:28.519 Not when not having another some somebody who works there with you. 00:21:28.600 --> 00:21:30.680 It's tough, like, man, what do I really need to improve on? 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:31.160 I'm perfect. 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.920 No, but you know, there's always something, right? 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:37.000 So

yeah, no, well, and it's like sometimes there's a lot of things. 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:47.320 I would say the thing I need to work on most, which is is is what I'm working on, is designated time for the business. 00:21:47.480 --> 00:22:02.759 I've got it cut down to Monday through Friday, but like I need to be more intentional with these are my office hours, these are my in-salon hours, and stick to them because what I'm finding is I'm trying to do it all and I'm trying to make everybody happy and I'm dropping balls left and right. 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:14.519 So the thing that I need to work on most is prioritizing what's best for the business first, what's best for my team second, and what's best for me personally last. 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:17.880 So that everything kind of figures itself out. 00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:22.440 Again, I appreciate that vulnerability there, and you know, kind of giving the giving that answer. 00:22:22.840 --> 00:22:26.440 Now, let's let's say, let's say you do improve that. 00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:27.160 Right? 00:22:27.320 --> 00:22:29.240 That that skill that you need to improve. 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:31.880 How would improving that change the business? 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:36.279 Well, I think improving, I guess boundaries would be the word for that. 00:22:36.360 --> 00:22:39.080 Improving like my boundaries with things. 00:22:39.320 --> 00:22:41.240 It goes back to our culture code. 00:22:41.320 --> 00:22:43.880 Number one, when you're at honey, be all in, be present. 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:46.920 Whenever you're not, you know, be all in wherever you're at. 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:59.799 If I'm designating time for my business and I'm honoring those, the boundaries of those times, I'm gonna be way more productive in them than what I'm doing now, which is, you know, working behind the chair, going back to my office. 00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:01.160 Oh, I need to go grab lunch. 00:23:01.320 --> 00:23:04.759 And then I have this meeting and it's all sporadic and it'll all over the place. 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:12.120 I think I could really maximize the efficiency of my time and product productivity if those boundaries were kept. 00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:21.640 And it's like, no, I can't take a client outside of these hours, which is incredibly hard to do whenever you have personal connections, and those are the people that got you to where you're at. 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:29.160 But I'm also hiring a team that I trust who is more than skilled and capable of providing that experience for them. 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:31.880 And that's what I have to remind myself too. 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.799 Okay, okay. 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:37.320 Now, where do most of your customers come from today? 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:44.440 So some of them, a lot, I don't want to say a lot, but some of our clients are my old clients. 00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:47.799 So I've cut down my clientele a lot over the last few years. 00:23:47.960

--> 00:23:49.560 I don't take on new clients. 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:57.320 So as I've cut back my schedule, I've been really thankful to see those faces in other chairs in my salon still supporting me. 00:23:57.560 --> 00:23:58.440 I love that. 00:23:58.680 --> 00:24:02.759 We love social media advertising, so we get a lot of word of mouth from there. 00:24:03.080 --> 00:24:07.000 Our main target market is nurses, teachers, and moms. 00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:11.080 And I would say that nurses are kind of the lifeblood of our business. 00:24:11.320 --> 00:24:16.440 We sit between two major hospitals, and the majority of our clientele is nursing clientele. 00:24:16.600 --> 00:24:22.600 And so you start with one person on one floor, and the next thing you know, you have like eight nurses from that floor. 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:29.320 And then, you know, they they refer somebody else from a different floor, and then you've got all of the people from, you know, a different one. 00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:31.480 So, and it just kind of builds like that. 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:35.320 We also have a university here, and so students coming through. 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:37.720 Like I will get these groups of students. 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:50.039 Uh, I've had a group of law school students, like one finds me and then then their friends, and then I have them for three years as clients, and then you know, they go off into the world or whatever, or medical students, same type of things. 00:24:50.279 --> 00:25:03.320 So yeah, we have a lot of different, different places that our clients come from and word of mouth too, just sharing about their experience, sharing with their friends and family, their coworkers that drives a lot of business our way. 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.240 Okay. 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:15.000 Now, when a qualified lead comes in, let's say they're, you know, they're perfect, they're, you know, they're ready to get their hair done, and you know, you know, you you guys can do it. 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:16.279 Perfect, no issues. 00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:17.720 We that's easy stuff. 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:19.000 How confident are you? 00:25:19.080 --> 00:25:24.680 Let's say if somebody called in, how confident are you that that person becomes a customer or a regular client of yours? 00:25:26.360 --> 00:25:28.840 I would say I'm I'm pretty confident. 00:25:29.080 --> 00:25:35.000 I think besides the consistency, the quality of the products that we use is very high. 00:25:35.320 --> 00:25:37.560 And then our atmosphere. 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:46.200 People don't realize like the aesthetic of honey, even on pictures online, it just doesn't do it justice. 00:25:46.360 --> 00:25:48.440 We have these huge, tall ceilings. 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:52.120 I don't know how tall they reach, maybe 15 feet or more. 00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:55.960 We have four skylights, like it's a very airy and open space. 00:25:56.120 --> 00:25:58.039 It feels incredibly elevated. 00:25:58.279 --> 00:26:01.480 And I feel like all of that kind of helps with that. 00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:04.920 Like you come in, you see it, and you're like, oh wow. 00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:08.200 And then you get that experience on top of that. 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:12.279 And then you leave with great hair and feeling like the best version of yourself. 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:16.279 Like typically, typically people would want to come back, I think. 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:18.279 Okay. 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:18.840 Okay. 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:27.240 Now, why do customers choose your, you know, we kind of talked about this a little bit before, but let's say, you know, let's say we're we're looking at your competition out there. 00:26:27.320 --> 00:26:31.080 All the other salons in the area are not salons, but you know, yeah, it's honey. 00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:36.360 I know you, I know you kind of don't really like to refer to it as salon, but let's look at other hair places in the area. 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:44.519 What are you doing that kind of gives you kind of an unfair, an unfair advantage or an unfair edge against all of your competition in Mormon Town? 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:49.000 Oh, ref roll some feathers with that answer, I'm sure. 00:26:49.160 --> 00:27:00.200 But I think it's an honest one, is the business background that I'm building and the business network that I'm building and the programs that I'm completing. 00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:13.320 It is very, very, very common in my industry for people to become, you know, incredible hairstylists, and then they start thinking, well, I can do this and I can do it better, and I can do this and I can do that. 00:27:13.560 --> 00:27:18.600 Well, being a hairstylist is an incredibly different job than being a salon owner. 00:27:18.840 --> 00:27:25.080 I am very thankful that I am good at and enjoy both, but that is not always the case. 00:27:25.320 --> 00:27:31.080 I know many, many salon owners who have never taken a single minute of business education. 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:39.880 And I know many in the area that also do, but I would say that is my personal biggest edge for my salon, is I'm not just built around hair. 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:42.120 I'm not a hairstylist who just does hair. 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:47.720 In fact, in next year, I'm no longer going to be doing hair, except for like a very small amount. 00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:57.080 So it's like my edge is I truly am valuing the business, education, planning, strategizing, not reacting. 00:27:57.240 --> 00:28:00.039 I'm proactive, seeing long term. 00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:02.600 And then I think just building the team. 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:06.600 Booth rental, which is like independent, which obviously I have worked in before. 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:11.080 We talked about that, is very common, but it causes a lot of issues. 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:18.519 And so I think being a W-2 commissioned salon with a business

background is what will bring me success. 00:28:19.560 --> 00:28:20.840 Okay, okay. 00:28:21.320 --> 00:28:24.279 Now, Rachel, tell, you know, let's go ahead and dig into that team a little bit. 00:28:24.360 --> 00:28:27.560 Tell us a little bit about your, you know, the team supporting your business today. 00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:28.120 Yeah. 00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:29.799 Oh, they are so incredible. 00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:31.240 Every single one of them. 00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:33.799 So, like I said, we've gone through some transitions. 00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:36.120 So our team is a little bit small right now. 00:28:36.360 --> 00:28:39.480 We have Allie, who is from the Buffalo, New York area. 00:28:39.640 --> 00:28:41.000 She will be here for two more years. 00:28:41.080 --> 00:28:45.080 Her fiance's in dental school, and she loves all things blonding. 00:28:45.320 --> 00:28:50.360 She gives us, brings us really kind of beachy vibes and like positive poppy energy. 00:28:50.600 --> 00:28:55.080 And then we have Kella, and Kella is so awesome. 00:28:55.320 --> 00:29:01.480 She brings this like sense of security to the salon, I guess a word would be. 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:14.680 And she has just come in, she's only been with us for about eight weeks now and just killed it across the board, like with her clients, with fitting into our routines, with how we operate and all of those things. 00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:18.360 Then we have actually, we talked about front desk earlier. 00:29:18.600 --> 00:29:22.120 I do have someone coming in, but it's a different circuit situation. 00:29:22.360 --> 00:29:29.320 My first employee I have ever had, Jade, is her name, and I played more of like a mentor role for her, too. 00:29:29.400 --> 00:29:35.480 I feel like we got very close with her being my first employee, and I didn't hire more for maybe nine months or so. 00:29:35.560 --> 00:29:36.759 So it was just the two of us. 00:29:37.080 --> 00:29:39.640 And she was in a really bad car accident last November. 00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:45.640 So she has been on an extended medical leave, and she will actually be coming back to the salon in September. 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:49.000 Hopefully, the first week of September will be her first week back. 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:51.400 We are gonna start her at the front desk. 00:29:51.560 --> 00:29:55.320 We've had some different changes in the salon in the last year since she's been gone. 00:29:55.560 --> 00:29:59.799 So starting her at the front desk, she'll get, you know, get to know our foundation again. 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:05.480 And then that allows her some time to build her hair career back up to where she wants it to be. 00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:07.480 So she'll be joining us in September. 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:09.160 I'm very excited about that. 00:30:09.400 --> 00:30:11.240 Oh, and then our new hire Liz. 00:30:11.320 --> 00:30:13.480 She, I just onboarded her today. 00:30:13.720 --> 00:30:17.160 So she is starting, she is our part-time aesthetician. 00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:19.640 She will be bringing the aesthetic services to Honey. 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:24.200 She is very upbeat and positive, outgoing and talkative. 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:30.840 Like I think she's gonna be a great, great fit for the team, but we've only had about four hours together. 00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:33.080 So more on that later. 00:30:33.320 --> 00:30:35.320 And, you know, we're always actively hiring. 00:30:35.400 --> 00:30:41.240 I've got some other, you know, things going on, things in the works that I'm hopeful will pan out. 00:30:41.400 --> 00:30:45.240 But if they don't, then I know there will be other opportunities that come my way. 00:30:46.120 --> 00:30:47.400 Okay, okay. 00:30:47.640 --> 00:30:48.440 All right, perfect. 00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:50.680 So now we're gonna head into what's called the this or that round. 00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:57.960 So I'm gonna give you two options, and I want you to choose the option that you most prefer and then give me kind of an explanation on why you chose that. 00:30:58.200 --> 00:31:01.080 It's a good way to kind of see your fun and personal side a little bit. 00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:02.440 Oh, I love that. 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:03.480 All right. 00:31:03.640 --> 00:31:06.120 So Netflix or YouTube and why? 00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:11.720 Netflix, and I am like so old school. 00:31:11.880 --> 00:31:15.080 I really just use YouTube for music, but then I just use Spotify. 00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:17.080 So I'm not I'm not really a YouTuber. 00:31:18.600 --> 00:31:18.920 Okay. 00:31:20.360 --> 00:31:21.720 Beach or mountains? 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:24.120 Oh, that's hard. 00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:32.519 I'm gonna go with beach because I love the warmth and the sand and the water. 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:40.680 But I am a very like outdoor nature girly and go camping and like for extended, like for a week, you know, at a time with no problem. 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:43.400 Love to hike and see all the nature as well. 00:31:43.480 --> 00:31:45.720 So that's a really hard one for me. 00:31:47.080 --> 00:31:48.600 Coffee or tea? 00:31:50.600 --> 00:31:52.519 Man, these are harder than they should be. 00:31:52.759 --> 00:32:03.160 Um I'm gonna go with coffee because that's what I've been drinking more of lately, but I've way cut back and I'm not drinking a lot of it. 00:32:03.320 --> 00:32:05.080 Just an appropriate amount. 00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:07.240 Just enough to get you going in the morning. 00:32:07.320 --> 00:32:07.720 That's enough, right? 00:32:08.600 --> 00:32:12.600 Yes, yes, and maybe a little bit midday and sometimes at three o'clock. 00:32:15.640 --> 00:32:17.560 Early bird or night owl? 00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:18.920 Early bird. 00:32:19.160 --> 00:32:23.160 I am up before 6:30 typically without an alarm. 00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:25.880 Sleeping in would be 7 or 7:30. 00:32:26.039 --> 00:32:29.960 And I am lucky if I make it up to

9:30 at night. 00:32:30.840 --> 00:32:32.039 Okay, okay. 00:32:32.680 --> 00:32:34.279 Sweet or salty? 00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:35.560 Salty. 00:32:35.720 --> 00:32:39.720 I love something like savory in the morning throughout the day. 00:32:39.880 --> 00:32:41.960 I do get a sweet tooth at night. 00:32:44.600 --> 00:32:46.039 Dogs are cats. 00:32:46.440 --> 00:32:47.799 Oh, that's just rude. 00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:49.320 My dog's sitting right here. 00:32:49.560 --> 00:32:50.519 I'm gonna go. 00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:54.600 And my cat's not here, so I'm gonna go with dogs. 00:32:55.400 --> 00:33:02.519 I have had a two miniature dachshunds for in my life, my first one for 21 years, and then my little Luna is 10. 00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:04.600 So she has my heart. 00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:06.680 21 years? 00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:08.600 How did wow, how did that happen? 00:33:08.840 --> 00:33:10.200 Oh, I'm sorry, 16 years. 00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:11.160 Oh my gosh. 00:33:11.560 --> 00:33:13.000 I was 21 years old. 00:33:13.160 --> 00:33:14.039 I'm so sorry. 00:33:14.120 --> 00:33:16.920 I was six, she was 16. 00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:17.799 I was 21. 00:33:17.880 --> 00:33:18.759 My brain flipped those. 00:33:19.240 --> 00:33:19.320 Okay. 00:33:20.200 --> 00:33:20.920 Oh, okay, okay. 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:22.519 I was like, man, you gotta give me some tips. 00:33:22.600 --> 00:33:24.039 You get your dog to live that long, Michael. 00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:24.920 Oh, I wish. 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:26.920 That would have been that would be incredible. 00:33:27.560 --> 00:33:32.440 Yeah, I just actually speaking of dogs, I just had a Yorkie that I had since I was actually a teenager. 00:33:32.600 --> 00:33:34.360 He just passed away last year at 18. 00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:35.720 And we thought that was crazy. 00:33:35.960 --> 00:33:36.840 18 was pretty crazy. 00:33:37.799 --> 00:33:38.200 That's what I'm saying. 00:33:38.279 --> 00:33:43.160 I'm like, Luna still got like six more years left if she lived as long as Sparkle did. 00:33:43.240 --> 00:33:44.680 So it's we got some time. 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:46.519 Yeah, you got some time. 00:33:46.840 --> 00:33:48.120 Summer or winter? 00:33:48.440 --> 00:33:49.080 Oh, summer. 00:33:49.160 --> 00:33:50.440 I hate the cold. 00:33:53.799 --> 00:33:54.519 And that's interesting. 00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:55.560 You live in Morgantown. 00:33:55.640 --> 00:33:59.560 You know, we get we, I mean, you know, we get enough cold and we get enough snow. 00:33:59.640 --> 00:34:02.279 It's not like super terrible, but it's just enough. 00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:02.759 Yeah. 00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:06.120 No, and I like I like snow, it's pretty. 00:34:06.360 --> 00:34:13.320 I hate cold and dreary and rainy and muddy, and that seems to be the majority of our winter here. 00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:15.719 Yeah, yeah, very true. 00:34:15.960 --> 00:34:17.719 Cook at home or eat out? 00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:19.400 I like to cook at home. 00:34:19.639 --> 00:34:25.639 I like to, you know, have my white wine and you know, just listen to music or not. 00:34:25.880 --> 00:34:30.920 And I will cook and meal prep all Sunday and just have the best time. 00:34:32.360 --> 00:34:33.239 Okay, okay. 00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:35.159 Notice a lot of people like to cook at home. 00:34:35.239 --> 00:34:39.799 I don't know if this is like a new thing, but yeah, eat eating out is not a thing uh anymore. 00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:43.319 Like I have not one eat out since we started asking these. 00:34:43.480 --> 00:34:47.159 So I wonder if it's because you're interviewing business owners. 00:34:47.319 --> 00:34:53.159 Like, I'm always grabbing things out all the time, and I'm just tired of all my options because I eat them 24-7. 00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:57.480 So when I cook at home, it's like, ooh, I get to make what I want, how I want it. 00:34:57.559 --> 00:35:00.119 And and I enjoy the process of cooking too. 00:35:00.679 --> 00:35:01.239 Yeah, yeah. 00:35:01.319 --> 00:35:03.879 And you know what's going into the food you're cooking because you're putting it in there. 00:35:04.119 --> 00:35:04.759 Yeah, yep. 00:35:06.039 --> 00:35:07.239 You know exactly what's in it. 00:35:07.480 --> 00:35:07.960 Mm-hmm. 00:35:08.679 --> 00:35:09.159 All right. 00:35:09.239 --> 00:35:14.359 And then now, as far as your business is concerned, now would you prefer a text or a phone call? 00:35:15.559 --> 00:35:16.199 A text. 00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:17.239 And why? 00:35:17.719 --> 00:35:20.599 Um I don't know. 00:35:21.480 --> 00:35:24.599 I just think I'm more likely to stay on task. 00:35:24.839 --> 00:35:30.599 I feel like I'm more like I pay attention more. 00:35:30.759 --> 00:35:33.000 Like if you call me, I'm just talking, right? 00:35:33.079 --> 00:35:34.039 It's just on the fly. 00:35:34.199 --> 00:35:45.239 But it's like if I'm texting, it's like, okay, I can take a minute, look at what you said, decide on my answer, look at our availability or you know, whatever the question is, and like properly answer it. 00:35:47.079 --> 00:35:47.879 Okay, okay. 00:35:47.960 --> 00:35:49.159 Yeah, I like that. 00:35:49.799 --> 00:35:53.719 Would you rather have unlimited referrals or a limited marketing budget? 00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:56.279 Oh, unlimited marketing budget. 00:35:56.519 --> 00:35:56.839 Okay. 00:35:57.000 --> 00:35:58.440 And why would you say that? 00:35:58.679 --> 00:36:01.319 Oh, because I love the marketing side of things. 00:36:01.480 --> 00:36:04.839 I just, I would love to do more of it. 00:36:05.079 --> 00:36:08.679 The amount that I have done in the past has been really awesome. 00:36:08.839 --> 00:36:12.759 And then I think that if I had more funds, like I just think about where we could be, right? 00:36:13.000 --> 00:36:20.519 And it would kind of be if I can produce the right content and get it in the right places, the word of mouth referrals will come. 00:36:20.599 --> 00:36:26.359 The the client

that I have will see it and share it, or you know, tag someone or something like that. 00:36:27.719 --> 00:36:29.000 Okay, okay. 00:36:29.319 --> 00:36:31.719 Reality TV or true crime? 00:36:32.599 --> 00:36:33.799 True crime. 00:36:34.039 --> 00:36:39.639 I love reality TV a lot, but true crime has always been my favorite. 00:36:39.799 --> 00:36:40.679 I know that's weird. 00:36:40.759 --> 00:36:42.599 I've even been on a crime cruise. 00:36:42.839 --> 00:36:45.319 I went to Crime Con a few years ago. 00:36:45.559 --> 00:36:46.839 Yeah, and that was so much fun. 00:36:47.000 --> 00:36:54.119 I got to meet Paul Holes, who's a crime scene investigator, and get to hang out with a bunch of like murder junkies, which is interesting. 00:36:54.279 --> 00:37:01.000 Like, we like tried to solve cases that were that have been cold cases for years and stuff like that, which was really cool. 00:37:02.679 --> 00:37:06.279 And the last one is dream vacation or dream home? 00:37:06.599 --> 00:37:07.719 Dream home. 00:37:07.960 --> 00:37:15.079 I have traveled so much in the last few years, not so much since opening honey, but like before that. 00:37:15.159 --> 00:37:32.119 And whenever I get a weekend here and there, and I have enjoyed it, and there will be a time, I'm sure, again in the future where I would take a vacation, but I would rather have a home that I can like put my pour myself into and create a space outside of honey that's mine. 00:37:33.879 --> 00:37:34.519 No, you're right. 00:37:34.599 --> 00:37:36.199 And then, you know, with the dream home, right? 00:37:36.279 --> 00:37:40.039 You're probably not gonna need to take too many vacations if it's your perfect home, right? 00:37:40.279 --> 00:37:41.079 That's the goal. 00:37:41.239 --> 00:37:43.559 Create the home that you don't need a vacation from. 00:37:44.039 --> 00:37:44.919 Yeah, exactly. 00:37:45.079 --> 00:37:45.480 Exactly. 00:37:45.639 --> 00:37:48.039 So I appreciate you getting through that this or that. 00:37:48.199 --> 00:37:50.279 So, you know, what's next for honey? 00:37:50.359 --> 00:37:53.399 You know, I know you kind of talked about some things in the future, but what's next for honey? 00:37:53.559 --> 00:37:56.599 You know, where do you where should people be excited about coming up in the near future? 00:37:56.839 --> 00:38:09.000 Yeah, I think definitely the aesthetic services, the brows and lashes, the waxing, facials, we're starting small, but the that list of services will continue to grow as you know, time comes and service providers are hired. 00:38:09.239 --> 00:38:12.119 So I'm really looking forward to all of the aesthetics things. 00:38:12.359 --> 00:38:15.559 I touched on honey bridal, there's some changes coming up there. 00:38:15.799 --> 00:38:17.879 I'm very excited for 2027. 00:38:18.039 --> 00:38:20.519 We have an inbox full of inquiries right now. 00:38:20.599 --> 00:38:25.480 Um, as soon as I'm through this hiring process, we'll start working through those to start booking weddings. 00:38:25.639 --> 00:38:32.440 So if you're a bride listening by chance and you need in for the 2027 season, I would recommend putting the inquiry in now. 00:38:32.679 --> 00:38:36.519 And then I think just watching us grow is exciting. 00:38:36.679 --> 00:38:39.480 Like I am from the area, I'm pouring myself into it. 00:38:39.559 --> 00:38:44.199 This is kind of like my passion project, and I am hiring people very intentionally. 00:38:44.359 --> 00:38:47.960 And, you know, I we try to give back in a lot of ways. 00:38:48.119 --> 00:38:59.159 So I'm really just hoping that like people enjoy watching our success, knowing that they they are the reason why we're here, like their support. 00:39:00.679 --> 00:39:01.879 Okay, okay. 00:39:02.199 --> 00:39:08.359 And I want you to be as candid as you can and honest as you can on the answer to this next question, you know, kind of to wrap up things. 00:39:08.519 --> 00:39:14.599 But, you know, let's say uh, you know, because we we have a pretty large entrepreneurial audience that listens to the podcast every week. 00:39:14.839 --> 00:39:19.639 So a lot of small entrepreneurs, small business owners who like to listen to other how other people tick. 00:39:19.879 --> 00:39:24.679 So, you know, let's say, you know, a small business owner is listening to the podcast episode with you today, Rachel. 00:39:24.759 --> 00:39:34.199 And let's say they're just having a rough goal 2026, you know, let's say if they they just had to let go of three people under them and three of their employees because they just didn't have enough work for them. 00:39:34.440 --> 00:39:43.960 Times have been tough, you know, the cost of things have been rising, um, you know, the cost of labor or I'm sorry, the cost of goods has risen so much and they just can't afford to pay these people. 00:39:44.119 --> 00:39:45.319 So I had to lay people off. 00:39:45.399 --> 00:39:48.119 And they're just feeling stuck or overwhelmed in 2026. 00:39:48.359 --> 00:39:51.559 What's the piece of advice you'd give to that business owner today? 00:39:52.279 --> 00:39:54.119 I have two things. 00:39:54.519 --> 00:39:56.759 I get myself into that situation a lot. 00:39:56.919 --> 00:39:59.639 I feel like where I'm burnt out and I'm like, where am I going? 00:39:59.719 --> 00:40:00.199 What am I doing? 00:40:00.359 --> 00:40:03.159 I feel overwhelmed as one wave after another hitting me. 00:40:03.319 --> 00:40:06.679 The first thing that I will do is I put an end in sight. 00:40:06.839 --> 00:40:07.799 I pick a date. 00:40:07.960 --> 00:40:12.119 Typically, it takes me about six to eight weeks for a schedule change to take effect effect. 00:40:12.279 --> 00:40:14.759 So I pick a date, six weeks out, eight weeks out. 00:40:14.919 --> 00:40:19.159 I mean, that seems really far away, but time goes fast and it gives me an end in sight. 00:40:19.239 --> 00:40:22.199 From that point forward, I'm not gonna schedule outside of this hour. 00:40:22.440 --> 00:40:33.399 On that, from that point forward, I'm gonna, you know, make sure I'm doing my education on Mondays or, you know, whatever, and get back to some consistency because then I know things might be crazy right now, but calm is coming. 00:40:33.639 --> 00:40:41.079 The other thing is, is once I get that rest or I kind of can get myself out of the burnout phase, or right now I'm in a transitional phase. 00:40:41.239 --> 00:40:51.960 We've had a couple of people leave, we have some people coming in, you know, different things are going on and I'm doubling down in the time, like, you know, I'm making sure our systems and our structure is proper. 00:40:52.119 --> 00:41:00.279 I'm making seeing what business changes I need to make to secure us so that I can get us in the position to continue to scale up. 00:41:00.759 --> 00:41:10.519 It's almost like at a certain point, you have to keep your eye forward and stop looking at what's all around you and just focus on where you're headed. 00:41:12.039 --> 00:41:12.599 I love it. 00:41:12.759 --> 00:41:13.319 I love it. 00:41:13.559 --> 00:41:13.960 All right. 00:41:14.039 --> 00:41:14.919 Well, I appreciate that. 00:41:15.079 --> 00:41:20.279 So, you know, Rachel, again, thank you for joining us and for sharing your real behind-the-scenes story of building honey. 00:41:20.440 --> 00:41:24.440 To everyone listening, be sure to connect with our guests using the information shared today. 00:41:24.519 --> 00:41:27.079 And in the description, we'll put all of your social media. 00:41:27.159 --> 00:41:33.879 And please follow all of our social media at Epic Entrepreneurs for more conversations with the people building businesses and communities every day. 00:41:33.960 --> 00:41:37.000 Uh, Rachel, any last words before we go ahead and sign off? 00:41:37.399 --> 00:41:39.480 Um, no, it was so great being here. 00:41:39.639 --> 00:41:40.359 Thank you so much. 00:41:40.519 --> 00:41:41.159 I'm excited. 00:41:41.239 --> 00:41:43.639 I hope this is helpful for someone out there. 00:41:43.879 --> 00:41:45.559 And yeah, thank you again for the opportunity. 00:41:45.639 --> 00:41:46.199 It's been great. 00:41:46.359 --> 00:41:47.159 I'm happy to be here. 00:41:47.319 --> 00:41:47.559 Yeah. 00:41:47.719 --> 00:41:48.759 Yeah, no problem at all. 00:41:48.919 --> 00:41:50.119 You're a pleasure to speak with. 00:41:50.199 --> 00:41:53.960 And, you know, again, this is Cliff McCray with Action Coach Business Growth Partners. 00:41:54.039 --> 00:41:54.919 We'll see you next time.