The Modern Hairstylist ™ Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Has Pre-Booking Made A Comeback In 2026? Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, Hunter Donia revisits one of the most debated topics in the industry over the past few years: pre-booking. For decades, stylists were taught that pre-booking was the key to predictable income and a full schedule. But after the pandemic, many hairstylists began questioning whether it actually created real stability or just the illusion of it.

Hunter originally challenged the traditional approach to pre-booking, arguing that it could create false security, more reschedules, and unnecessary pressure on both the stylist and the client. But recently, new patterns inside the Modern Hairstylist community and Mastermind have sparked a new question: is pre-booking worth reconsidering in today’s industry?

In this episode, Hunter breaks down why the conversation around pre-booking deserves a more nuanced look in 2026. Rather than treating it as a universal rule or rejecting it entirely, he explains how stylists can test whether it actually supports their specific business model, clientele, and demand patterns.

Key Takeaways:

📅 Why pre-booking became controversial in the first place
Hunter explains the reasons many stylists moved away from pre-booking in recent years, including false stability, frequent reschedules, and the pressure it can create for both stylists and clients.

📊 Why the conversation might be changing in 2026
Recent data and real-world observations inside the Modern Hairstylist community suggest that pre-booking may actually benefit certain types of businesses, especially when retention and demand patterns are strong.

🧠 Why pre-booking is not a one-size-fits-all strategy
Instead of blindly adopting or rejecting it, Hunter explains how different business models, price points, and clientele behaviors determine whether pre-booking will actually help stabilize your schedule.

🧪 How to test pre-booking in your own business
Rather than fully committing to the strategy immediately, Hunter shares why experimentation and tracking your numbers is the smarter approach before deciding if it belongs in your systems.

💬 How to introduce pre-booking without making clients feel pressured
If you do decide to explore pre-booking, Hunter discusses how the way you present the next appointment to clients can make a huge difference in whether they say yes.

Why You Should Listen

If you have ever felt confused by the mixed messaging around pre-booking, this episode will help you think about it more strategically. Instead of following industry rules or reacting to trends, Hunter encourages stylists to evaluate what actually works for their own business and build systems that create real stability behind the chair.

By the end of this episode, you will have a clearer framework for deciding whether pre-booking deserves a place in your schedule again—or if another strategy is better suited for the way you want to run your business.

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How To Create More Predictable Income As A Hairstylist Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown talk about the thing that quietly stresses stylists out the most: unpredictable income. Whether your slow months follow the typical seasonal patterns or they hit randomly out of nowhere, this episode is both a reality check and a practical plan for creating more stability in your take home pay.

Hunter breaks down why volatility usually comes from two issues that can be solved. Uneven profitability across services, and inconsistent booking momentum. You will hear how to price in a way that creates a more predictable baseline, what to do when you start seeing gaps without immediately discounting, and the systems that keep future you protected even during your busiest seasons.

Key Takeaways:

💵 Price for a predictable baseline, not just a menu that looks good
Hunter explains why the goal is knowing you are making a consistent minimum per hour across services, even if you do not use a pure hourly pricing model. When your time is priced evenly behind the scenes, you reduce resentment toward certain services and make your income more stable as long as you stay booked.

📅 Pre booking is making a comeback, but do it intentionally
Pre booking can create major stability, but Hunter is clear that you should not blindly bring back old habits. He shares that they are testing intentional pre booking experiments with Mastermind members, and that the nuances matter because it can create risks for certain businesses if done the wrong way.

🚫 Do not panic discount when you see gaps
If you want to post availability, Hunter suggests doing it carefully so you do not train clients to think you always have openings. He encourages avoiding discounting except in very specific cases like a new client offer, and keeping it tight by only sharing a few appointment options.

🧾 Increase your average ticket during gappy times
Instead of obsessing over the clients you do not have, Hunter focuses on maximizing the clients you do have through retail and add on services. If you have time because the schedule is lighter, you can use that space to increase the value of each appointment and offset income dips.

📣 Do not stop marketing just because you are booked
One of the biggest mistakes Hunter sees is turning off marketing when you are full. He explains why marketing is not for today’s client, it is for the client who books in one month, two months, or six months, after they have built trust and budget. Keeping that momentum protects you later and gives you leverage when things unexpectedly slow down.

📝 Build a real waitlist system for both new and returning clients
Hunter recommends having a waitlist no matter what stage you are in. A new client waitlist lets you capture demand even when you cannot take people right now. A returning client waitlist helps you quickly fill cancellations, and even pick up an extra day when you want to smooth out a slow week. He also calls out that most built in booking system waitlists are limited, and a custom waitlist gives you more control over the information you collect, like true availability.

Why You Should Listen:

If unpredictable income makes you spiral, second guess your pricing, or feel like you have to hustle nonstop to stay afloat, this episode gives you a calmer way to run the business. You will leave with a clear approach to stabilize your income through smarter pricing, better booking systems, and consistent marketing habits, so slow periods feel manageable instead of like an emergency.

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The Most Automated Ways To Attract New Clients Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown break down how to attract new clients in ways that do not rely on constant posting, endless DMs, or putting all of your energy into one platform. If you feel like marketing takes too much effort just to maintain consistent inquiries, this conversation walks through the most automated strategies stylists can use to bring in new requests while doing less manual work day to day.

Hunter explains that automation is not about disappearing from marketing entirely. It is about building systems that continue working for you in the background. From optimizing your Google and AI search visibility to creating a client experience that naturally generates word of mouth, you will hear how to shift from chasing clients to creating a business that attracts them more consistently over time.

Key Takeaways:

🔎 SEO and AI optimization that works long after you log off
Learn how updating your Google My Business listing, refining keywords, and using AI tools to understand how clients search can help you show up more often in both traditional and chatbot driven searches.

🧠 Client experience as an automated marketing engine
Instead of relying only on social media, Hunter explains why creating a service and experience people cannot get elsewhere gives clients something worth talking about, leading to natural referrals without asking.

📲 Modern sharing systems over outdated referral programs
Traditional “tell your friends for a discount” strategies feel forced today. This episode explores how to mobilize your clients to share organically in ways that feel natural and build trust faster.

✍️ Advanced automation with AI generated content and blogs
For stylists ready for the next level, Hunter shares how automated blog posts and Google updates can keep your online presence active and searchable without constant manual effort.

📈 Why diversifying your client acquisition matters
Relying on a single platform can create burnout and instability. Building multiple automated visibility channels creates a more sustainable flow of new client requests.

Why You Should Listen:

If marketing feels like a second job and you want new clients to find you without being glued to your phone, this episode gives you a clear roadmap. You will leave knowing how to combine AI optimization, a standout client experience, and smarter sharing systems to create a more automated attraction process that grows alongside your business instead of draining your time.

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Scaling Your Revenue Without Adding More Hours or Increasing Prices Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown break down what to do when you are fully booked, already priced high for your area, and still want to grow your income without adding more clients, more hours, or another big price jump. If you feel like you have hit a ceiling around that next revenue level, this episode gives you tangible ways to increase profit by working smarter inside the business you already have momentum in.

Hunter shares the strategies he is actively using during Mastermind onboarding calls to make sure revenue goals are actually mathematically possible for stylists who are capped by time. You will learn how to expand revenue through aligned add-ons and retail, improve service efficiency and your “profit per hour,” explore assistants or double booking in a responsible way, and consider a next level path that turns excess demand into revenue through team based scaling.

Key Takeaways:

💰 Affiliate sales as a second stream that stays aligned
Instead of starting a whole new business, affiliate sales can expand your audience beyond local clients while keeping the work connected to what you already do. If you already know how to get attention online and you already sell products behind the chair, this can be a strong next lever.

🧾 Raise your average ticket before you chase a new revenue stream
Hunter calls this a first line of defense. Simple, profitable add-ons and consistent retail can increase revenue without adding meaningful time, and they build the business fundamentals that make other growth strategies work.

⏱️ Increase profitability by improving efficiency and “profit per hour”
When time is the limiter, the question becomes which services generate the most profit per hour and how to create more room for them. This episode walks through evaluating your menu, tightening timing, and reducing downtime so your booked schedule becomes more profitable.

👥 Use an assistant to shorten service time and create capacity
Adding support can help you fit in more services, explore double booking, or maintain the same income while reducing your labor. Hunter also explains why predictability and systematized timing matter before bringing in help.

🏢 Scale by adding another revenue producing person to your business
If you have more demand than you can serve, bringing in another stylist can turn overflow into revenue instead of lost opportunity. Hunter shares examples from Mastermind of small scale approaches that allow growth without building a huge team.

🧠 The reality check: scaling still takes work, just a different kind
Reducing chair time while maintaining income requires leadership, systems, and sometimes managing people. The payoff is building a business that is easier to sustain and less dependent on your personal labor.

Why You Should Listen:

If you are already booked and not interested in working nights and weekends to grow your income, this episode gives you a clear menu of strategies to scale responsibly. You will leave knowing how to increase revenue through profit per client, profit per hour, and smart leverage, while building a business that feels stable, sustainable, and not one setback away from burnout.

Interested in hiring a personal salon assistant? Check out this episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1896666/episodes/15182352

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Attracting BETTER clients Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown get into a problem that drains time, energy, and momentum fast: attracting clients who DM forever, ghost after you send pricing, cancel last minute, or simply are not a great fit for your chair. If you feel like you are constantly dealing with non ideal inquiries and it is making you resent the process of booking new clients, this conversation gives you a clear framework to change the type of clients you attract, starting with what you say, who you say it to, and the systems you use to qualify people before they ever book.

Hunter explains that “better clients” is not a universal definition. It is something you can identify by looking at the patterns of the clients who already stay loyal, respect your process, and genuinely value your work. From there, the goal is twofold: speak more directly to the people you actually want, and build self filtering into your client journey so the wrong clients opt out on their own. You will hear how to do that through marketing language, service menu details like maintenance expectations, digital consultation forms, deposits and card on file, and objection busting content that either builds confidence or disqualifies someone upfront.

Key Takeaways:

🧩 Define what “better clients” means for you
Start with your real data. Look at the clients who have stayed with you long term and identify the traits they share, then work backwards from those patterns to attract more of them.

🎯 Commit to speaking to one person, not everyone
When you try to water down your messaging to appeal to everyone, you stop getting anyone’s attention. This episode breaks down how to use market research and client language so your content feels like it was written for the right person.

🚦 Make non ideal clients self select out
You can reduce wasted time by being clear about who your services are for and who they are not for. Hunter shares practical ways to do this through service descriptions and maintenance ranges, so clients can decide before they inquire.

📝 Use forms to qualify leads, not just collect info
Digital consultation forms can do more than gather details. They can filter out one time clients, identify who is willing to follow your process, and protect your schedule from people who were never going to convert.

💳 Boundaries that signal commitment
Deposits, card on file, and clear policies are not just about enforcement. They are a qualification tool that attracts clients who are serious, respectful, and ready to follow through.

🗣️ Objection busting that converts and disqualifies
Hunter explains how to address the “I want to, but…” objections through FAQs and content, either removing misconceptions that stop great clients from booking or validating when someone truly is not a fit.

Why You Should Listen:

If you are tired of feeling like new client inquiries are a gamble, this episode gives you a step by step way to attract clients who value you, follow instructions, and actually become long term regulars. You will leave knowing how to tighten your messaging, improve your client journey, and build a simple qualification process that protects your time while making it easier for the right people to book with confidence.

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Must-Have Automations To Stand Out From Your Competition Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown break down the behind the scenes systems that make a stylist feel impossible to replace. If you have big ideas for your client experience but never have the time or consistency to follow through, this episode shows how to automate the parts that matter most so your business feels high touch without being high effort.

Hunter walks through four key points in the client journey where simple automations can dramatically improve response time, reduce no shows, increase retention, and create a category of one experience clients talk about. You will hear practical ways to reduce DM back and forth, speed up quoting, create a pre visit experience that builds trust before they even arrive, and follow up after appointments in a way that feels personal while still being scalable.

Key Takeaways:

💬 DM systems that book faster
Instead of manually rewriting the same responses, set up saved replies and simple automations so clients can get answers quickly and you can keep conversations moving toward booking. Response time is a competitive advantage, and this helps you win without living in your inbox.

📝 A new client form that eliminates the endless back and forth
Hunter explains how to use a new client request form as a service, not a barrier. It collects everything you need in one place so you can quote accurately and move clients into booking without a slow question by question DM thread.

📩 Pre visit onboarding that makes you feel premium
There is a quiet window between booking and the appointment that most stylists ignore. A salon welcome guide or short email sequence can answer common questions, reduce cancellations, and help clients arrive confident and excited, without you doing anything manually each time.

💌 Post visit follow up that increases retention
Automated follow ups can include aftercare notes, product recommendations, and the exact timing for when they should rebook. You can also trigger reminder messages when they are due, which is especially helpful for lower maintenance clients who do not naturally stay on a consistent schedule.

📆 The 7 day check in that saves relationships
A simple check in a week after the service gives clients a clear opening to share concerns directly with you instead of silently disappearing or venting elsewhere. It is one of the easiest ways to keep new clients in your chair.

Why You Should Listen:

If you want to stand out from your competition but you do not want to sacrifice your evenings, weekends, or mental bandwidth to do it, this episode gives you a clear automation roadmap. You will leave knowing which parts of your client experience to systematize first, how to make it feel personal, and how to create a polished, above average experience that supports higher pricing and long term loyalty.

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How To Fire A Client Without Backlash Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown talk about the client every stylist knows, the one that makes you dread your schedule before the week even starts. If you have ever felt anxious leading up to an appointment because you already know the client will be unhappy, uncomfortable to be around, or impossible to please, this episode walks you through how to let them go in a way that is firm, professional, and as low drama as possible.

Hunter breaks down the real decision filter first, because not every uncomfortable moment means someone needs to be fired. But when a client is impacting your mental health, your confidence, or your ability to provide great service, keeping them is not kind to you or to them. You will learn how to stop people pleasing your way into resentment, how to frame the conversation so it feels like a service to the client, and how to protect your business if you are worried about backlash like angry messages or negative reviews.

Key Takeaways:

🧠 How to know when it is time
If you are thinking about the client all week, feeling nervous while you work, or noticing their energy affects your other appointments, that is your sign. When you cannot show up as your best self, you are not serving them well either.

🤝 A mindset shift for people pleasers
If guilt is the only thing keeping you from letting them go, Hunter offers a reframe: holding onto a client you cannot confidently serve is a disservice. Someone else can be a better fit, and you do not have to be the martyr.

✉️ Why non confrontational communication works
You are allowed to handle this through a text or email. It helps you say what you mean without shaking through the conversation, and it reduces the chances of the appointment turning into a live conflict.

🗣️ Make it about them, not about you
The core script is simple: you do not feel you can serve them at the level they deserve, and you believe someone else will be a better fit. This approach lowers defensiveness and helps the message land without turning them into the villain.

📍 How to reduce backlash and leave them supported
Offer referrals, point them to reputable salons, and let them know you are open to sharing notes with their next stylist if needed. The more “set up” they feel, the less likely they are to spiral into revenge mode.

⭐ What if they leave a bad review anyway
Hunter walks through a practical reality check. Even if the worst case happens, your business survives. Most of the time, when you lead with respect and clarity, clients respond better than you expect, and some even thank you.

Why You Should Listen:

If you are carrying stress because one client keeps draining your energy, this episode gives you the exact perspective and language you need to end the relationship cleanly. You will leave knowing how to decide when it is time, how to communicate it without making it personal, and how to move forward with a lighter schedule, a stronger sense of boundaries, and a business that actually feels good to run.

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The Most Underrated Salon Policy Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown break down a policy almost no one thinks to write until it is too late: a salon etiquette policy. If you have ever had a client bring negativity, controversial topics, or disrespectful behavior into your chair and you froze because you did not know what to say, this episode gives you a simple way to prevent those situations before they start.

Hunter explains why the goal of policies is not punishment. It is prevention. When clients are required to review and sign policies regularly, you reduce the chances of uncomfortable conversations happening in the first place, and you also create a clear foundation if you ever need to enforce a boundary. You will hear what belongs in a salon etiquette policy, how much discretion you can build into it, and how to handle the hard part: addressing behavior in real time without turning the appointment into a confrontation.

Key Takeaways:

🧾 A salon etiquette policy is a preventative tool
Policies are not just for cancellations and no shows. An etiquette policy helps reduce uncomfortable behavior and gives you backup if you need to enforce boundaries, because the client already agreed to the expectations.

✍️ Write it with clear standards and clear discretion
Hunter talks about the importance of stating that definitions and enforcement are at the stylist or salon’s discretion, so you are not forced into debating whether something “counts” as disrespectful or harmful.

🚫 What to include beyond conversation topics
This episode covers common categories stylists can address upfront, including discrimination and hate speech, politics, children in the salon and behavior expectations, and refusing service for intoxicated or unsafe behavior.

🗣️ How to handle it in the moment without escalating
You will hear a real framework for what to say, starting with a casual redirect, then a direct but kind boundary, and how to give a clear warning when needed.

🏢 Why this matters even more in team environments
If you run a salon with multiple stylists, etiquette is not only personal. It impacts staff and other clients in the room, which is why this policy should be tied to your core values and communicated before someone joins your team.

Why You Should Listen:

If you want a calmer chair experience, stronger boundaries, and a salon culture that feels safe for you, your team, and your clients, this episode gives you a practical way to set expectations without sounding harsh. You will leave knowing what to put in a salon etiquette policy, how to roll it out to existing clients, and how to speak up when a conversation or behavior crosses the line.

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Is Lowering Prices A Good Idea? Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia breaks down a question that comes up fast when bookings feel inconsistent: is lowering prices actually a smart move, or is it a distraction from what really needs attention? Using a real coaching call as the backdrop, Hunter walks through why price is often the first thing we blame, but why a price drop can backfire if you have not fully exhausted your marketing fundamentals and perceived value first.

You will hear exactly when a price reduction might be worth considering, what needs to be true for it to work, and how to test changes without creating chaos for your current clients. Hunter also shares why tiny price drops rarely move the needle, how discounting can attract the wrong kind of clientele, and the mindset shift that helps you stop panicking over schedule gaps and start looking at your bottom line.

Key Takeaways:

💡 Lowering prices is a last resort, not a first move
Before you touch your numbers, you need to be honest about whether you are actually showing up consistently and using a strategy that matches the clients you want to attract. If you lower prices without changing anything else, you often just make less money with the same level of demand.

📣 Perceived value beats price objections
Clients compare price, but they stay for clarity, trust, and the feeling that you are the obvious expert. This comes from strong fundamentals like consistent marketing, clear positioning, and messaging that makes your ideal client feel understood.

📉 A small discount rarely creates a big result
Dropping a service by a small amount usually does not create the volume you would need to justify it. And if more clients do not come in as a direct result of the new price, you are simply reducing income with no upside.

🧪 If you test a price change, test it intentionally
Instead of permanently changing your menu and confusing existing clients, consider a structured test like a new client offer or a limited promotion, then measure results over a real window of time. If nothing changes after a few months, price was not the problem.

🧠 Stop letting schedule gaps trigger you
If you are charging more per appointment, you may see more space on the calendar even while earning more overall. The goal is not always a packed schedule. The goal is profitability, stability, and a business that gives you room to breathe.

Why You Should Listen:

If you have been tempted to lower your prices because inquiries feel slow or your calendar has gaps, this episode will help you make a decision without panic. You will leave with a clear framework to determine whether price is truly the issue, what to fix first, and how to protect your business long term instead of chasing a quick fix.

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The RIGHT Way To Ask Clients To Take Photos Of Them Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia breaks down the real reason most stylists avoid taking client photos and how to fix it without making things awkward. If you know you should be capturing more before and after content but you keep skipping it because it feels weird, this episode gives you a simple approach that protects the client experience while still getting the shots you need.

You will learn how to ask in a way that feels confident and normal, how to remove the common objections before they even come up, and how to build photos into your service flow so it stops feeling like an extra task. This is about making client photos easier for you and more comfortable for them, while turning your work into marketing that actually brings bookings.

Key Takeaways:

📸 The mindset shift that changes everything
Stop treating photos like a favor a client gives you. Learn how to position it as part of your professional process and the experience you provide.

🗣 What to say and when to say it
Get clear on the timing and the exact way to ask so it feels natural, not random at the end of the appointment.

✅ How to remove client hesitation
Learn how to address privacy, insecurity, and the fear of being posted, without pressuring anyone or making it a big deal.

🧠 Make it normal instead of awkward
Simple ways to make photos a routine part of your appointment so clients expect it and you feel more confident every time.

📈 Why this impacts bookings and referrals
Client photos create trust fast. The more consistently you capture results, the easier it is for new clients to choose you.

Why You Should Listen:

If you keep telling yourself you will start taking more photos next week, this episode is the push and the plan. You will leave knowing how to ask confidently, how to make clients feel safe, and how to turn photos into a consistent habit that supports your marketing without slowing you down.

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