The Beauty Connective Podcast

Cambria Siemens (@stylebycambria) went from starting beauty school at 17 to opening her own salon and now an entire beauty and wellness school. We talk about how Cambria Academy came to be, what she wanted to do differently from the traditional beauty school experience, building confidence as a new beauty pro, and all the behind-the-scenes that goes into opening a school from scratch. @stylebycambria @cambriaacademybw www.thebeautyconnective.com

Nail techs are notoriously undercharging, but raising your prices isn't just about making more money. In this episode, I'm joined by nail tech and educator Lori Sartain (@crow.nailstudio) to talk about why pricing in the nail industry is so far behind, how education and client experience impact what you can charge, and what it actually takes to build a sustainable career behind the nail desk. We get into price increases, burnout, continued education, client expectations, and why you don't owe anyone an explanation for charging what your business needs to survive. @crow.nailstudio www.thebeautyconnective.com

This week I’m back with Jaynee Meyer (@jayneenailedit), founder of the Nail Tech Retreat, talking all about why the people you surround yourself with in this industry matter SO much. We talk about getting out of your comfort zone, investing in yourself, making real connections, and what can happen when you actually get in the room with other nail techs who get it. Plus, we’re talking all about this year’s Nail Tech Retreat and why weekends like this can be so much more than just education. www.jayneenailedit.com @jayneenailedit @nailtechretreat www.thebeautyconnective.com

Motherhood and working in the beauty industry isn't always easy. In this episode, I sat down with nail tech and mom of two, Ashlin Hiatt (@ashnailco), to talk about balancing clients and family, setting boundaries, navigating mom guilt, and building a career that fits the season of life you're in. @ashnailco www.thebeautyconnective.com

In this episode, McKinnly Yadon (@nailsbyninn) and I have a really honest conversation about what actually makes someone qualified to teach, why follower count isn't the same as credibility, and how to spot education that's actually worth your money. Whether you're thinking about becoming an educator or investing in your next class, I think this is an important conversation for our industry. @nailsbyninn www.thebeautyconnective.com

From hearing "you suck" as a beginner to navigating emotionally heavy conversations with clients, I sat down with Maddy Fries (@cutenailsbymaddy) for this episode that explores the emotional realities of being a beauty professional and why protecting your own energy matters just as much as perfecting your craft. www.thebeautyconnective.com

Hannah Wilson (@wilsons_nails) shares how burnout pushed her to make one of the biggest pivots of her career. After losing two-thirds of her clientele and starting over, she rebuilt her business, found her niche, and created a career she really enjoys. This episode is a reminder that sometimes the long way around ends up being the right path. @wilsons_nails @thehive.nailbar @nailnectar_co www.thebeautyconnective.com

This week on The Beauty Connective Podcast, Gabrielle Martinson Herrera (@gabrielle.citycenternails) shares the deeply personal story of how the nail industry became her way out of an abusive relationship. We talk about survival, rebuilding your life through beauty, finding support in the industry, and how learning a skill gave her the independence she needed to leave. www.thebeautyconnective.com

In this episode, I sit down with Utah nail tech Kendal Nelson-Stein (@mynailgirl.k) to talk about her journey from dropping out of college to building a fully booked nail clientele in one of the most saturated beauty markets. We dive into how she grew her clientele so quickly, the pricing strategy that helped her stand out, client retention, conversational skills behind the chair, and the importance of creating an experience that keeps clients coming back. www.thebeautyconnective.com

In this episode, I sit down with Paige Olson (@littlecanvasnailstudio), a Virginia-based nail tech and educator, to talk about her journey from doing nails in her dorm room during COVID to building her own studio and stepping into education. We get into the reality of apprenticeships, navigating toxic environments, and what it really looks like to trust your gut when choosing a nontraditional career path. This conversation is all about betting on yourself, learning through experience, and creating the kind of community you wish you had. www.thebeautyconnective.com

In this episode, I sit down with Brooklyn Carlisle (@_barebybrooklyn_) to talk about what it really looks like starting out in aesthetics. From a tough drama-filled school experience to going solo without feeling prepared, she shares how she figured it out anyway. If you’ve ever felt not ready but still want to make it work, this one’s for you. @_barebybrooklyn_ www.thebeautyconnective.com

I sat down with brow artist and educator Tess Gilliland (@lala.browz) to talk about how she went from having one client to building a full brow business and now opening her own school. We got into mindset, taking risks before you feel ready, and what actually holds beauty professionals back (hint: it’s not your technique). @lalabrow.lounge www.thebeautyconnective.com

It’s been one year of the Beauty Connective podcast, which honestly feels unreal. In this episode, I’m recapping the biggest lessons I’ve learned from 21 guests across the beauty industry and how much it’s shifted the way I think about success. Spoiler: it’s way more about mindset than anything else.

I sat down with Jun Koo, founder of Butter Shears, who visits hundreds of salons and barbershops and gets a true behind-the-scenes look at how they operate. We talked about the patterns he notices between successful and struggling stylists, the energy inside different salons, and what’s actually holding people back in the beauty industry. This episode is a really honest look at what’s happening behind the chair from someone who sees it all. @buttershears buttershears.com thebeautyconnective.com

Why does working in the beauty industry sometimes feel like it’s not taken seriously? Kylee and Sofia Wood (@nailartbysofia_) open up about the insecurities many beauty professionals face, the stereotypes around being a nail tech, and the surprising amount of intelligence, skill, and business strategy that goes into the job. www.thebeautyconnective.com

Social media helped us grow, but it’s not the whole answer. In this episode, Hayley (@mysticsnakenails) and I talk about why beauty professionals deserve more than just chasing the algorithm. We share how our backgrounds in education shaped our vision for The Beauty Connective and why we believe the industry needs a better way to get discovered. This is the real conversation behind why TBC exists, and where we see the beauty industry heading. www.thebeautyconnective.com

In this episode, I sit down with Kortney Poulson (@nailsbykort_) to talk about the real behind-the-scenes of doing nails for celebrities from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives . We get into what it’s actually like working with high-profile clients, the pressure that comes with it, and how she built a reputation for fast, efficient nail work while working at a high level.

Nail tech and educator Hailey Duncan joins Kylee for a real, unfiltered conversation about the state of nail apprenticeships in Utah. Why are so many new techs leaving programs unprepared? Why are instructor licenses so easy to get? And how did apprenticeships turn into expensive programs with almost no standards? We break down what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change, for the safety of clients and the future of our industry.

In this episode, nail tech and educator Annie Keller (@nailart.by.annie) shares how she doubled her nail tech income by creating digital products - protecting her hands, reducing burnout, and building a more sustainable career. She walks through the moment she realized she needed a different path, how she got started, and how she now helps other nail techs do the same.

In this episode, Kylee sits down with Reanna Kester (@redidmynails) , nail educator and founder of Cuticle & Co (@cuticleandcompany) , to talk about how she turned a small idea into a fast-growing beauty brand. Reanna shares her journey from doing nails in a suite to running a company from her basement — now with a full team, loyal following, and products that nail techs love. They talk about the messy parts of growth, learning to trust yourself, and why success starts when you stop waiting for the perfect time and just start.