Are you prepared for the unexpected? Imagine if you suddenly couldn’t work—how would that impact your family, your business, and your peace of mind? Today, I sit down with Molly Henthorn from Empower Financial Group to uncover the real risks beauty professionals face and the practical ways to protect your income, your business, and your future. From personal stories to actionable advice, this conversation is packed with insights every independent professional should hear.

Highlights

• The true impact of being unable to work—and how to plan for it
• How Empower Financial Group partners with beauty professionals to offer tailored benefits
• Real-life stories of professionals who faced unexpected challenges
• The surprising affordability of income protection and other benefits
• What to consider when choosing coverage as a self-employed professional
• How to adjust your protection as your business grows
• The unique value of working with a partner who understands your industry

Chapters

00:00 — Introduction: The Unexpected Impact of Absence

00:10 — Meet Molly from Empower Financial Group

00:58 — Molly's Visit to the Salons

01:43 — The Importance of Benefits for Beauty Professionals

01:56 — Empower Financial Group's Offerings

02:22 — Income Protection: A Critical Component

02:39 — Real-Life Scenarios and Testimonials

03:44 — Understanding the Cost of Benefits

04:54 — The Value of Income Protection

05:00 — Empower's National Reach and Claims Support

07:49 — Customizing Coverage for Beauty Professionals

13:16 — Conclusion and Future Opportunities

Resources Mentioned

• Empower Financial Group
  Website: https://www.empowerfingroup.com/
  
  

To learn more about Utopia Modern Salon Suites, visit our website at https://utopiamodernsalon.com/ or follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn!

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What does it really take to turn a passion for beauty into a thriving, in-demand business? How do you build a brand that clients recognize instantly—and keep them coming back for years? Today, I sit down with Brooke Bemis, owner of Brows by B and the Brow Battalion, to uncover the real story behind her journey from serving tables to becoming one of Wichita’s most sought-after brow artists and educators. We talk about the grit, the branding, the boundaries, and the bold decisions that shaped her career, plus the lessons she’s learned about building a business, a brand, and a life you love.

Highlights

• Brooke’s journey from her first salon job to opening her own suite
• The moment she decided to niche down and focus exclusively on brows
• How branding (and a love of pink) set her apart in a crowded market
• The power of boundaries and policies in building a sustainable business
• Why she created a unique booking system—and how it keeps her schedule (and sanity) intact
• The leap from side hustles to full-time entrepreneur (and why it was terrifying)
• Launching a product line and professional tool collection for beauty pros
• The importance of community, networking, and training your “competition”
• How to handle burnout, set boundaries, and rediscover your “why”
• Advice for new estheticians and beauty professionals

Chapters

00:00 — Welcome & Introduction to Brooke

01:07 — Brooke’s Early Career and Finding Her Niche

02:10 — Building Brows by B: The Brand and the Experience

03:33 — The Power of Branding (and Pink Everything)

05:44 — From Side Hustles to Full-Time: Making the Leap

09:19 — Creating Hype: Booking, Waitlists, and Client Experience

15:24 — Training, Mentorship, and Building Community

21:03 — Product Lines, Tools, and Teaching Clients

23:11 — Burnout, Boundaries, and Rediscovering Passion

26:05 — Advice for New Beauty Pros & Final Thoughts

Resources

• Brows by B Website & Shop — Products, trainings, and more

To learn more about Utopia Modern Salon Suites, visit our website at https://utopiamodernsalon.com/ or follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn!

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Do you think doing your taxes is more like a blowout, a brow wax, or a full Brazilian? For beauty professionals, financial management can sometimes feel simple and sometimes daunting and painful. Today, I sit down with Ryan Kittrell, CPA, to unravel the mysteries of bookkeeping, tax deductions, and financial habits that can make or break your business. Whether you’re a creative who dreads spreadsheets or a salon owner ready to level up, you’ll find practical advice, relatable stories, and a few laughs along the way. Let’s make taxes a little less scary—and maybe even a little fun.

Highlights

• Why beauty professionals struggle with bookkeeping and how to overcome it
• The truth about financial advice on social media
• Simple systems to keep your business finances organized
• What expenses are really deductible (and which ones aren’t)
• The importance of regular financial check-ins
• How to avoid the “it’s a write-off” spending trap
• Success stories from beauty pros who got their finances on track
• When to hire a CPA or bookkeeper
• Fun comparison: Is doing your taxes a blowout, brow wax, or full Brazilian?

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome & The Tax Service Analogy

00:47 – Meet Ryan Kittrell, CPA

01:34 – The Importance of Bookkeeping for Beauty Professionals

02:07 – Common Financial Challenges in the Beauty Industry

03:27 – Navigating Social Media Financial Advice

04:24 – Understanding Tax Deductions for Beauty Professionals

05:54 – Simple Financial Systems for Small Businesses

08:08 – When to Hire a CPA or Bookkeeper

09:22 – What Expenses Are Deductible?

13:20 – Avoiding Common Financial Pitfalls

17:51 – The Importance of Regular Financial Reviews

21:20 – Success Stories and Client Experiences

24:38 – The Value of Professional Financial Advice

25:18 – Scheduling Financial Check-Ins

26:27 – Fun Comparison: Taxes vs. Beauty Services

27:55 – How to Reach Ryan & Closing

Resources Mentioned

• Kittrell and Klaskin CPAs: www.kittrellklaskincpa.com
• Special thanks to Mikayla Wise, hairstylist at Tyler Point

To learn more about Utopia Modern Salon Suites, visit our website at https://utopiamodernsalon.com/ or follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn!

If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe and share with a friend!