How one hairdresser turned a salon struggle into a thriving business

In this episode of Salon Rising The Podcast, we chat with the incredible Sarah Lancaster—salon owner (Cole & Co Hair), mum of three, and the brains behind The Relief Hairdresser. Sarah’s built something pretty special, growing her business from a home setup to a full salon while creating a much-needed service that helps salons find reliable, temporary stylists when they need them most.We talk about the juggle (because it’s real), the importance of solid policies, and how she’s handled everything from growing a team to navigating unexpected challenges (floods included!). Sarah’s approach is thoughtful, considered, and quietly determined—proof that you don’t have to be the loudest in the room to make a big impact.And The Relief Hairdresser has a special offer for Salon Rising Podcast listeners! Receive 10% off any relief booking by using the booking code "Salon Rising" xTimestamps00:00 Episode Summary01:56 Introducing Our First Guest of the Year02:33 Sarah Lancaster's Journey03:40 Building a Team from Home05:25 Managing the Relief Hairdresser08:37 Education and Skill Development11:53 Handling Client and Staff Dynamics14:34 Operational Insights and Feedback21:24 Balancing Teamwork and Independence21:35 Returning to Roots and Business Adaptation22:36 Flood Crisis and Community Support23:38 Relocating and Repurposing Spaces25:20 Juggling Family and Business Responsibilities27:38 Coping Mechanisms for Busy Minds32:48 Training and Team Development37:51 Learning from Mistakes and Implementing Policies44:41 Future Goals and Aspirations45:33 Conclusion and GratitudeMentioned in this episode:💖 Celebrating Our Podcast Partner – Christophe Robin, proudly distributed by McM ImportsWe’ve partnered with Christophe Robin and MCM Imports to bring you something beautiful:➡ Experience the Christophe Robin Discovery Box — curated by pro ambassador Monique McMahon.➡ Inside, you’ll find her handpicked favourites — the hero products she swears by in the salon.It’s your invitation to explore the range and discover why Christophe Robin has become a quiet obsession among stylists who know their craft.Click the link below to request your FREE Christophe Robin Discovery Box, exclusively through McM Imports. 👇MCM💛 A Limited Time Offer From Our Amazing Sponsor, Timely 💛➡ Timely is the easy to use booking and payments system that puts salon owners in control of the whole client experience from the first booking to final payment.➡ Salon Rising listeners get a 14 day free trial plus 50% off their first 3 months.➡ And until August 1st, when you activate with Payments, you'll also get a free Touchscreen terminal, worth $349 + GST.Use the code SALONRISING at checkout or click the link below to get started. Once you're set up, your Timely contact will take care of the rest. 👇Timelyhttps://www.salonrising.com