Have a topic request or someone you think we should have on the pod?! Send us a text and let us know!

If you're a salon owner or beauty professional who is also a mom, you've likely asked yourself this question more times than you can count: Can I really do both without completely losing myself?

In this raw and inspiring conversation, Lisa sits down with Sarah Swift, a 33-year industry veteran, mother of three teenagers, and the creator of The Integrative Mother Experience (TIME). Sarah doesn't sugarcoat her journey. She shares the messy, behind-the-scenes reality of navigating chemical sensitivities, infertility, miscarriages, family tragedies, and the crushing burnout cycle that so many service professionals accept as "just part of the job."

But here's the twist: Sarah found a way out. She transformed her business from a burnout machine into a curated, aligned system that supports both her career and her family—allowing her to be more present and fulfilled than ever before. And now, she's on a mission to help other salon-owner moms do the same.

If you're tired of the hustle, exhausted from pleasing everyone, and craving a life that actually feels aligned, this episode is your permission slip to design something different.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why "balance" is a trap and what you should strive for instead (hint: it's integration)
• The power of "fast, messy action" and why waiting for perfection keeps you stuck
• How to recognize a "Big Magic" idea from the universe, and what to do when you feel the call
• Sarah's 5-step TIME framework for avoiding burnout, setting boundaries, and actually receiving joy
• How to build a business that can weather life's storms (including family tragedies) without falling apart
• Why you are not for everyone, and why that's a beautiful thing
• The simple morning ritual that changed everything for Sarah (and how you can start one too)

Resources & Links

• Sarah's Website: theintegrativemotherexperience.com
• Sarah's Instagram: @timewithsarahswift
• Join Sarah's Free Private Facebook Group: Apply via her website
• Book Mentioned: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

This summer I'm hosting the Summer Specialization Series: three live virtual panels on the specialties that are really taking off in the industry right now.

June 29 — Hair Loss, Extensions, and Enhancements
July 27 — Curly Hair
August 31 — Scalp Health and Head Spas

Grab your spot here: https://stylistsoultribe.mykajabi.com/2026-summer-series

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Have a topic request or someone you think we should have on the pod?! Send us a text and let us know!

If you're a stylist or beauty professional who has ever felt confused, overwhelmed, or even frustrated when it comes to your business finances, this episode is your wake-up call.

Today, we are joined by the incredible Michelle Cook, a beauty school graduate turned licensed CPA and the founder of Carter Cook CPAs. Michelle and her team specialize in guiding beauty professionals to move beyond compliance and into forward-focused strategy. In other words, she doesn't just help you file your taxes; she helps you use your numbers to grow your business.

In this episode, Michelle pulls back the curtain on the recent tax law changes that every salon owner and independent stylist needs to know about right now. We break down the brand-new FICA Tip Credit (which could save you thousands permanently) and the temporary Tip Deduction (worth up to $5,000 in savings). We also tackle the confusing world of S-Corps (when to switch, what to pay yourself, and why the "general rule" might be costing you money), uncover the top hidden deductions you're probably missing, and have an honest conversation about why making six figures doesn't always mean you feel rich, and how to fix
that.

Whether you're a booth renter, a salon owner, or scaling a multi-seven-figure empire, this episode is your ultimate financial playbook.

Key Takeaways

1. Two New Tax Laws Are a Big Deal for Beauty Pros
   • The FICA Tip Credit is permanent and eliminates payroll taxes on tips—this alone can save you thousands.
   • The Tip Deduction is temporary (2025–2028) and allows a deduction of up to $25,000 in tips, saving you roughly $5,000 annually.
2. Don't Assume Your CPA Knows the Nuances
   • Not all CPAs specialize in the beauty industry. Ask your tax preparer directly: "Are we taking advantage of the new tip credit and tip deduction?"
   • If they missed it, they should amend your return for free. If they won't,
     run a cost-benefit analysis to see if hiring someone else to amend is
     worth it.
3. Maximize Your Write-Offs with These Hidden Deductions
   • Home Office: Must be exclusively used for business—deduct a portion of utilities, internet, and mortgage interest.
   • Vehicle: Track business miles (errands, trade shows, education), but not your daily commute.
   • Cell Phone: Allocate a percentage of your monthly bill if used for business.
   • All-Inclusive Retreats: 100% deductible as education—a better deal than paying for meals (only 50% deductible) separately.
4. The S-Corp "Rule of Thumb" Might Be Wrong for You
   • General CPAs often say you need $100K in profit for an S-Corp, but Michelle
     says start thinking about it at $50K in profit.
   • Your salary must be "reasonable" for your location and role—$30K may work in some areas but won't fly in San Francisco.
   • The only reason to form an S-Corp is to save on taxes. Make sure your CPA runs a personalized analysis first.
5. Wealth Isn't About a Number—It's About Behavior
   • Many high-earners feel broke because of lifestyle creep.
   • Smart business owners lock in a comfortable lifestyle and let the extra profit work for them (investing, saving, or scaling).

Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or tax advice. Please consult your own qualified professional.

Connect with Michelle Cook:

https://www.cartercookcpas.com/

Course: Beauty Bookkeeping – Learn to organize your numbers, pay yourself correctly, and set aside taxes like a pro.

This summer I'm hosting the Summer Specialization Series: three live virtual panels on the specialties that are really taking off in the industry right now.

June 29 — Hair Loss, Extensions, and Enhancements
July 27 — Curly Hair
August 31 — Scalp Health and Head Spas

Each panel is $55, or grab all three for $111 and save.

Grab your spot here: https://stylistsoultribe.mykajabi.com/2026-summer-series

Connect with Lisa Huff

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Have a topic request or someone you think we should have on the pod?! Send us a text and let us know!

Are you raising your prices based on strategy… or just repeating what you've always been told?

One of the biggest mistakes I see hairstylists make is increasing haircuts by $5 and color services by $10 without ever looking at whether their service menu is actually balanced.

In this video, I'm walking you through my Price-Per-Minute Clarity Check—a simple exercise that helps uncover hidden pricing imbalances inside your service menu.

You'll learn:

✔️ Why most salon pricing becomes unbalanced over time

✔️ How to calculate price per minute for every service

✔️ Why I don't believe all services should automatically increase equally

✔️ How to identify underpriced services without lowering prices elsewhere

✔️ How I combine this with my supply-and-demand pricing philosophy

This isn't about random price increases. It's about building an intentional service menu that supports your income, your schedule, and the long-term sustainability of your beauty business.

👇 Watch next:

How to Know When You've Earned a Price Increase (Supply & Demand Pricing)

If you're a hairstylist, salon suite owner, esthetician, nail tech, or beauty professional looking to create more profit without working more hours, you're in the right place.

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